FRACTIONATION OF HUMAN PITUITARY GLANDS

Abstract

A method of serial extraction of human pituitary glands is described. FSH, LH, and TSH are predominantly found in the first extract. A second extraction, under different conditions, yields principally growth hormone and some prolactin. A third extraction, under more extreme conditions of pH and temperature, yields, especially for acetone-preserved glands, an additional amount of growth hormone and the greater part of the prolactin. The method is presented as a contribution to the more efficient use of scarce and valuable human pituitaries.