PINEALECTOMY OF THE RAT FTUS IN UTERO. A METHOD FOR PRODUCING LOCALIZED INTRACEREBRAL LESIONS DURING THE LAST THIRD OF GESTATION

¹ Institute of Anatomy, University of Lund, Sweden

A method is described for localized electrocoagulation of small structures in the brain of the rat ftus in utero during the last third of gestation. Previous histological investigations suggested the existence of a secretory activity of the ftal pineal gland of the rat. The method was therefore primarily used for pinealectomy of rat ftuses aged 15 days 16hr. to 16 days 22 hr., with survival until near term. Of the 140 ftuses operated upon, the survival rate was 60 per cent. In 37 per cent the pineal gland had been totally destroyed and in 27 per cent subtotally. The remaining 36 per cent served as sham-operated controls.

Note:

This investigation is part of a series, supported by grants from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lund.

Substance 52-E ("Uterine Relaxant Study") was courteously supported by the Research Laboratories of The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan.