HORMONES AND REPRODUCTION 



47 



basic stains), and chromophobes (staining with neither). 

 Hormone secretion is the function of the acidophils and 

 basophils, and when they have completed a secretory 

 phase it is thought that both may revert to the chromo- 

 phobe condition. It appears that the chromophobe cells 

 form a reserve from which the acidophils and basophils 

 can be developed as they are required. 



Fig. 3. — Diagram of the structure 



of a pituitary gland as seen in sagittal 



section. 



The proportion of these three cell types within the 

 anterior lobe varies according to the age and physiological 

 condition of the individual, and from a study of these 

 variations some idea can be obtained of the functions of 

 these cells. The most suggestive evidence is that pro- 

 vided by pathological conditions. Thus it is found that 

 gigantism, or acromegaly, in man is associated with an 

 excessive development of the acidophil cells, while here- 

 ditary dwarfism is associated with a complete absence of 

 these cells. Such evidence suggests strongly that the 

 hormone secreted by the acidophils is that which con- 

 trols body growth. 



As regards the basophil cells a curious condition has 

 recently been discovered by Kerr^i^ in adult roach 

 parasitized by the plerocercoid larva of the tapeworm 



