[Hypothalamo-hypophysial-thymic axis in the rat]

Thymic extracts, with proved immunologic properties, decrease, in vitro, RNA and DNA synthesis of hypothalamic fragments of adult rat and have no effect on hypophysis culture; we found a similar action in vivo. Growth hormone inhibits the nucleic acids synthesis of thymic fragments; no action is found with hypothalamic extracts. Hypothesis, that thymic activity is dependent on hypophysis with retroaction on hypothalamus, is discussed.