Drake W. Will

The destruction of the maternal and fetal pituitary glands in subhuman primates

Abstract 1. 1. A technique is presented by which it is possible to destroy the pituitary gland of the intrauterine primate fetus in the second trimester of pregnancy. 2. 2. Destruction of the maternal hypophysis was achieved by the transsphenoidal placement of Y90 pellets in pregnant monkeys. 3. 3. In 3 animals both fetal and maternal Y90 hypophysectomies were carried out in the same pregnancy. 4. 4. Clinical observations regarding the subsequent course of pregnancy as well as the pathologic confirmation of pituitary destruction are discussed. 5. 5. The placenta appears sufficient to sustain apparently normal gestation in monkeys after both the fetal and maternal hypophyses have been destroyed in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Greatinine Equilibrium Between Mother and Nephrectomized Primate Fetus.

Summary and conclusions 1. Concentrations of creatinine in maternal and fetal sera of the monkey are within the range considered normal for pregnant humans. 2. Concentrations of creatinine in maternal and fetal sera remain in equilibrium and within this normal range 3 and 4 weeks after bilateral fetal nephrectomy. 3. It is not necessary to postulate renal excretion of creatinine into the amniotic fluid and subsequent absorption or diffusion by the chorioamniotic membrane to account for creatinine equilibrium between fetus and mother. 4. It is suggested that the placenta, rather than the fetal kidneys, is important in maintaining the composition of fetal serum.

Xanthomatosis involving the colon and small intestine; report of a case.

SummaryA 54-yr.-old woman with pericholangiolar biliary cirrhosis, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipemia had striking abnormalities of the colon and small intestine, as revealed by X-ray. Autopsy disclosed extensive xanthomatous deposits in the colonic submucosa and serosa. Sections of the small intestine were not available for study.