THE EFFECT OF PITUITARY STALK SECTION UPON REPRODUCTIVE PHENOMENA IN THE FEMALE RAT¹

60 YEARS OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY: The hypothalamo-prolactin axis

“…Harris convincingly built the case that humeral factors from the hypothalamus control secretion of anterior pituitary hormones, correctly predicting the existence of hypothalamic ‘releasing factors’ that mediate the neural control of pituitary secretions ( Harris 1948 ). Despite the clear evidence that neural stimuli (such as suckling) could stimulate prolactin secretion, however, Harris noted that cutting the pituitary stalk did not abolish lactation ( Dempsey & Uotila 1940 ), leading to the inevitable conclusion that a hypothalamic ‘prolactin-releasing factor’ was not necessary to stimulate prolactin secretion. Indeed, it was subsequently shown in hypophysectomised rats that ectopic pituitary grafts were able to maintain corpus luteum function ( Everett 1954 ) and lactation ( Cowie et al .…”

The effects of electroconvulsive shocks on gestation and maternal behavior. II.

“…The inability of the parturient mother to respond to her young and to react to the paper and shavings as nesting materials may have been due to the fact that the innate organization for these responses had not been sensitized by the necessary hormones. What the hormone (s) may be we cannot say for certain, but those of the pituitary would seem to be involved (1,10,18,23).…”

Central nervous mechanisms involved in the reproductive behavior of vertebrates.

“…However, "lesions confined to the anterior hypothalamus produce among other abnormalities a change in the estrous cycles and a deficiency of certain reproductive functions of the female rat" (2Q). Infundibular section does not interfere with normal reproductive cycles, ovulation, mating, or pregnancy in the female rat (37).…”