Adrenal function after hypophysectomy in man.

Abstract

ATROPHY of the adrenal gland following removal of the pituitary gland has been studied both functionally and anatomically in a variety of species but remains relatively unexplored in man. We have previously described some of the effects of total hypophysectomy on gonadal (1) and thyroid function (2) and propose now to examine several aspects of adrenal function after hypophysectomy. It has been demonstrated that the secretion of aldosterone in man is independent of the anterior pituitary gland (3). This, however, carries no implications with respect to the secretion of hydrocortisone by the adrenal gland. In several species, hypophysectomy has been found to reduce markedly the secretion of corticosterone and hydrocortisone (4, 5, 6). The correspondence between animal and man of the responses to the other tropichormones suggests that the secretion of hydrocortisone in man may be equally dependent upon corticotropin. METHODS These studies were conducted with patients who had had surgical hypophysectomy or a...