Luteotrophic Function of Autografts of the Rat Hypophysis1

WESTMAN and Jacobsohn (1938) in experiments with hypophyseal stalk-sections in rats, reported certain results that have been difficult to explain. Adult, cyclic females were operated on during estrus or proestrus by the authors’ usual technique. This included the placing of a barrier of metal foil between the cut end of the stalk and the hypophyseal capsule (Jacobsohn, personal communication). Although the intended purpose of the barrier was to prevent regeneration of nerve fibers, regeneration of the hypophyseal portal veins must have been equally impossible. Control animals were totally Irypophjrsectomized. In all cases the cervix uteri was electrically stimulated 2 to 5 hours after operation. The uteri were traumatized 5 or 6 days later and were subsequently examined for deciduomata. Whereas the 7 completely Irypophysectomized animals were negative, the 5 stalk-sectioned rats were positive. With the stalk having been cut before the time of cervical stimulation, how could the latter have induced pseudopregnancy