Regeneration of Euplanaria Dorotocephala with Pituitary Gland Extract.

Abstract

SummaryWith extract of desiccated whole beef pituitary gland there was a mean increase of 35% in the rate of regeneration of bisected planaria (Euplanaria dorotocephala) with a decrease in total area in head pieces of 50% and a decrease of total area in tail pieces of 30%, when completely regenerated. Posterior lobe extract accelerated regeneration by 33% with a reduction in area of 36% over the controls. The acceleration of regeneration with anterior extract alone was not as marked as with the whole extract or the posterior fraction. There was no reproduction by fission which occurred in 61% of the controls.