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Effect of Adrenalectomy and Anterior Pituitary Injections on Mammary Development

Nature volume 154, pages 302–303 (1944)Cite this article

Abstract

THOUGH mammary growth has been stimulated experimentally with desoxycorticosterone1,2, the possible significance of the adrenal cortex in normal and experimental mammary development has scarcely been investigated from other aspects. Elucidation of the role of the adrenal cortex in mammary development assumes added importance in view of the claim that the agents directly responsible for the growth of the mammary gland are two mammogenic hormones, secreted by the anterior pituitary, which cause growth of the mammary ducts3 and alveoli4 respectively. The possibility must be considered that the mammogenic action of anterior pituitary extracts may be mediated, wholly or in part, by the adrenals. We have accordingly begun a study of the effect of adrenalectomy on the mammary gland in relation to the mammogenic action of the anterior pituitary. A preliminary account of the results so far obtained may be of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Research in Dairying, University of Reading,

    A. T. COWIE & S. J. FOLLEY

Authors
  1. A. T. COWIE
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  2. S. J. FOLLEY
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COWIE, A., FOLLEY, S. Effect of Adrenalectomy and Anterior Pituitary Injections on Mammary Development. Nature 154, 302–303 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1038/154302a0

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