Diabetogenic activity of the anterior pituitary (a progress report).

The exact nature of the diabetogenic activity of the anterior pituitary gland remains a mystery. While growth hormone (GH) fractions clearly can produce a diabetogenic effect, there is increasing evidence that GH itself does not exert this effect. Several new theories that purport to explain the nature of diabetogenic activity are discussed. The current evidence supports the view that the activity is the result of a GH fragment or some other closely related protein such as the one ("diabetogenic protein") first described by LOUIS and CONN. A progress report of the research on this new "diabetogenic protein" is given.