The effect of hypothalamic lesions on the melanocyte-stimulating hormone content and histology of the pars intermedia of the rat pituitary gland.

1. The effect of bilateral lesions in the anterior hypothalamus on the histology and content of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) of the pars intermedia has been studied in the adult male rat.2. By 7-15 days striking histological changes, suggestive of hyperactivity, were evident. These changes were accompanied by an elevated MSH content, which was particularly noticeable at 7 days.3. By 7 days there was an increase in the acid phosphatase activity of pars intermedia cells, as demonstrated histochemically.4. It was concluded that a hypothalamic control system exists for the mammalian pars intermedia and may involve both inhibitory and excitatory components.