[Interrenal tissue reaction of the hypophysectomized sexually mature sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L.) to salt exposure].

To corroborate the direct influence of hypothalamic nanopeptides on the peripheral endocrine glands (the phylogenetically ancient paraadenohypophyseal pathway of regulation) under a prolonged stress as hypothesized by Polenov, sexually mature male and female sterlets, intact and hypophysectomized 4 months previously were placed into 6% NaCl solution for 10 days. An activation of the interrenal tissue occurred both in intact and hypophysectomized fish as evidenced by increased nuclear volume of the glandular cells, obvious vacuolization of their cytoplasm, appearance of mitoses and hyperemia of the interrenal tissue. These data seem to corroborate Polenov's hypothesis and confirm Orbeli's concept of phylogenetically more ancient mechanisms coming forth under pathological conditions.