Restropic Effects of Anterior Pituitary Extracts

Abstract

SEVERAL authors have attributed endocrine functions to the reticulo-endothelial system (R.E.S.) and have employed, for various purposes, extracts prepared from its centres. But no link between endocrine glands and the R.E.S. has as yet been demonstrated. Recently, however, we have obtained evidence of pituitary control of the reticulo-endothelial system. The experiments were carried out on rabbits. A modification¹ of the Congo-Red method² was used in assessing the activity of the R.E.S. The rate at which the dye is eliminated from the circulation reflects the functional condition of the system, and the method which measures this rate thus yields an index of the activity of the R.E.S.