The effect of hypophysectomy on the reactions of animals to diphtheria toxin.

Abstract

An inquiry was made into the effect of hypophysectomy on the formation of the structural changes in the internal organs of experimental animals following administration of diphtheria toxin at remote postoperative periods, as well as on the development of the specific diphtheria immunity. Removal of hypophysis 11 to 12 days prior to the diphtheria toxin injection has somewhat reduced the degree of affection, without preventing the development of the morphological changes in the organs, as noted earlier in cases with the toxin administered 3–4 days after the operation. The changes in the organs of the experimental animals, with the toxin administered on the 11th–12th day after hypophysectomy, were of the same nature as in controls, but less frequent and less intensive. As shown experimentally, the removal of hypophysis 5 to 6 days prior to the administration of sorbed diphtheria toxoid had no significant effect on the course of the immunological reaction.