INFLUENCE OF THE PITUITARY GLAND ON ERYTHROCYTE FORMATION

Abstract

In this article we shall endeavor to show that: (<i>a</i>) The pituitary secretion has a very important influence on erythrocyte formation. (<i>b</i>)<i>Primary</i>disease of the suprarenal cortex results in<i>secondar</i>y pituitary changes, thus accounting for many signs and symptoms erroneously ascribed to the suprarenal cortex. (<i>c</i>) The specific and selective embryohormonic relations of the pituitary gland to mesodermal tissues is a reasonable explanation for the polymorphic signs and symptoms of pituitary disturbances. Two cases of polycythemia vera with pituitary basophilism, coming to autopsy, and polycythemias experimentally induced in dogs by bilateral adrenalectomy form the basis of our report. Our interest in the erythropoietic function of the pituitary was the result of some clinical observations which pointed to this gland as the major factor in stimulating the hematopoietic system to erythrocyte formation. While we were engaged in carrying out the experimental part of the work, a splendid article by