THE EFFECT OF ADENOHYPOPHYSECTOMY ON THE EXTRARENAL AND RENAL EXCRETION OF THE SALINELOADED DUCK (ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS)

Domestic ducks were adenohypophysectomized and 2–3 weeks later were loaded with hypertonic saline. Normal intact ducks and sham-operated ducks were similarly treated. For 2 hr. nasal gland secretion was almost completely inhibited (0·20 g.) in the adenohypophysectomized ducks and was significantly reduced (4·93 g.) in the sham-operated ducks compared with the normal intact controls (14·74 g.).When the renal response of the adenohypophysectomized ducks was compared with that of the normal intact controls no significant difference was found as far as volume of urine and concentration of Na+and K+were concerned. When compared with sham-operated controls, however, these values were significantly lower in adenohypophysectomized ducks.The adrenal weight was not significantly reduced in the adenohypophysectomized ducks, but the weights of thyroid, nasal gland and testis decreased significantly. Histological examination of the adrenal glands of the adenohypophysectomized ducks showed that the central regions were atrophic while the peripheral regions remained normal. Nasal glands, thyroid glands and testes were also examined.It is concluded that the adenohypophysis plays a major part in regulating extrarenal excretion.