[Pituitary insufficiency and auto-immunity (author's transl)]

An indirect immunofluorescence study of the serum of 37 patients with anterior pituitary disease suggested that in a number of them an auto-immune process intervened in the pathogenesis of the condition. Seven sera reacted positively to human pituitary gland and 15 to rat pituitary gland. Auto-antibodies directed specifically against one or several types of pituitary cells seem to be more frequent in pituitary insufficiencies involving one or two hormones. These are more readily detectable when rat pituitary glands are used, and only by this technique can auto-antibodies directed against ACTH-secreting cells be detected.