Lipoids and Cholesterol in New-born Rats

Abstract

THE organism of new-born rats is subjected to many post-natal changes. Certain organs, and probably all the body, will achieve in stages the functions which they have in the adult animals. It has been stated that the hypophysis develops its complete functions after birth. Heller¹ found in the hypophysis of new-born rats ten times less adiuretine than in adults. Schreiber² noticed the embryological, anatomical and physiological relation of the neuro-hypophysis, hypothalamus and visual organs, and was led to look for correlation with the evolution of the water metabolism of new-born rats as the expression of the action of the diencephalo-pituitary system and the functional evolution of the eye. He observed that, in rats just beginning to see, the dry matter is increasing and chlorides decreasing with the growth in weight. The decrease is quicker in rats before their eyes are open. He explains his results as the completion of evolution of the neuro-hypophysis at the time when the rat is just beginning to see.