Experimental endocrinopathies.

Abstract

Methods are described for maintaining hypophysectomized rats (model for panhypopituitarism). Prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors can be induced in rats or mice by administration of estrogens; thyroid stimulating hormone-secreting tumors will occur in some mice after thyroid ablation by radioactive iodine. Estrogens in hamsters usually produce intermediate lobe tumors of the pituitary associated with hypothalamic degeneration. Sex hormone-secreting adrenal tumors can follow surgical gonadectomy in mice. Spontaneous corticoid-secreting adrenal tumors may occur spontaneously in Osborne-Mendel rats. Secretory gonadal tumors have been induced by transplantation of a gonad into the spleen of a gonadectomized host. Both secretory and non-secretory ovarian tumors can be produced by irradiation or chemical carcinogens in mice. In some mice, secretory testicular tumors can be produced by estrogen administration. Thyroid tumors can be induced in rodents by various kinds of goitrogens and irradiation. Parathyroid hyperplasia may occur with spontaneous renal disease in rats. A syndrome simulating diabetes mellitus can occur in rare strains of mice or can be induced by chemical destruction of the islets of Langerhans with alloxan.