Congenital Hypofunction of the Adenohypophysis as a Cause of Mongolism

Abstract

It is the object of this paper to examine the characteristics and pathologies of Mongolism and to relate these findings to congenital hypopituitarism of the adenohypophysia. Ramifications of a hypofunction of the pituitary are many; and the fact that this condition occurs during the most important phase of an individual1s life, i.e. prenatal development, increases the seriousness of the condition and the severity of the outcome. The anterior pituitary exerts a profound influence upon the development and growth of the thyroid and adrenal glands, the gonads as well as the entire body through the action of thyrotropic and adrenocorticotropic hormones, the gonadotropic hormones and somatotropic hormone respectively. These hormones are essential for alterations in the intercellular reaction rates which allow for the growth and reproduction of the target cells and their adjustment to specific functional levels. The proper development of nearly all of the endocrine system, including the ovary, testis, thyroid and adrenal, is dependent upon the presence of the specific anterior pituitary hormones in correct quantities and qualities. Some development of these endocrine glands can and does occur in the absence of anterior pituitary hormones, but such development can only proceed to a certain point and no further. The chapters covering these glands will deal with the necessity for specific hormones from the adenohypophysis.