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Post-natal Development of Rat Pituitary Melanocyte-stimulating Hormone and the Effect of Light

Nature volume 222, page 781 (1969)Cite this article

Abstract

LIGHT influences the level of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) in the pituitary gland of rats1. The MSH content increases after a period of constant illumination and is lowered by a period of darkness. This response requires the presence of the pineal gland and may involve melatonin and the MSH-release inhibiting factor (MIF) of the hypothalamus. During a study of the relation of the pars intermedia of the pituitary to the production and release of MSH2,3, we followed the content of MSH in the neurointermediate lobe throughout the post-natal development of the rat, from 7 days to 6 months.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Chelsea College, London, SW3

    A. HOWE & A. J. THODY

Authors
  1. A. HOWE
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  2. A. J. THODY
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HOWE, A., THODY, A. Post-natal Development of Rat Pituitary Melanocyte-stimulating Hormone and the Effect of Light. Nature 222, 781 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/222781a0

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