The objective of this research is to understand the principles which regulate the regeneration of mammalian brain cells, specifically hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons. Intact neural pituitary lobes of donor animals will be transplanted into surgically interrupted hypothalamic-pituitary tracts of a group of experimental host animals. Another group of host animals, used as controls, will receive transplants of damaged pituitary glands. Differences between the results obtained in the two groups, analyzed with morphological and biochemical techniques, should lead to the isolation of substances which are unique for the functional regeneration of neurosecretory neurons.
