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.