Fetal pituitary transplants into the hypothalamic area of hypophysectomized rats.

The pituitary tissue, when transplanted to extracerebral sites other than the normal anatomic position, fails to perform its secretory function properly. Several works on experimental intracerebral pituitary transplantation have shown that the transplanted tissue has been able to survive histologically. In this study, fetal pituitary tissue was implanted into the anterior hypothalamic area of the hypophysectomized rat by stereotactic methods. Electron-microscopic examination and hormonal blood levels demonstrated that ectopic pituitary tissue was able to survive to establish the correct anatomic relationship and thus perform secretory functions when transplanted intracerebrally.