THE EFFECT OF TOTAL DARKNESS ON THE GROWTH OF THE NEWBORN ALBINO RAT

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
J. T. EAYRS
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KATHLEEN F. IRELAND
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Previous studies of the effects of light on the development of the young rat [Browman, 1938a, b; 1940; Fiske, 1941; Luce-Clausen & Brown, 1939; Pomerat, 1942; Truscott, 1944; Meyer & Meyer, 1944] have shown that both growth and sexual maturation are retarded in its absence. They have also suggested that these effects are attributable to changes in the activity of the pituitary of the growing animal. Although the growth hormone of the pituitary is known to play an indispensable part in the later growth of the rat, the hypophysis may not be essential during early post-natal life [van Eck & Freud, 1941]. It is possible, therefore, that factors other than a modification of the young rat's own pituitary may be concerned in the retardation of somatic growth resulting from reduced illumination. One possible factor is the maternal milk-supply on which the rat is mainly dependent during its first 18

 

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