Advancement of knowledge of the role of the hypophysis in carbohydrate metabolism during the last twenty-five years

Abstract

In the last twenty' five years the knowledge of the part played by the hypophysis in carbohydrate metabolism has passed through two stages. In the first, from JL 1908 to 1929, all of the actions were attributed to the posterior lobe; in the second, from 1929 and 1930, the importance of the anterior lobe was discovered, since its extract was found to be more potent than posterior lobe extract and it can produce a diabetic condition. At the same time definite proof was obtained of the physiological significance of the anterior hypophysis in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in the normal state and in diabetes.