Biological Institute of St. Petersburg State University,
198504 Orienbaum Chaussee 2,
Stary Peterhof, St. Petersburg, Russia
e-mail: y.gorodilov@pobox.spbu.ru
It is usually accepted that hypophysis originates from two ectodermal primordiums that give rise to its two main parts. The transformation of initial primordiums into definitive hypophysis is regarded as a result of mutual inductive influences between hypothalamus and Rathke's pouch. This scheme was remaining unchanged during many decades. Based upon the arguments that Spemann's organizer, prechordal mesoderm (PCM) and hypophysis are consecutive derivatives that replace each other during ontogeny, the author proposes that the two novel stages preceding the former starting point should be added to traditional scheme of pituitary development. Besides, according to new scheme the PCM (successor of Spemann's organizer) plays the main role in hypophysis development by active stimulation of morphogenesis in adjacent tissues. This leads to formation of Rathke's pouch and infundibulum, to their approaching each other, and to reprogrammin of Rathke's pouch ectoderm into hormonal cells of adenohypophysis. According to new hypothesis role of Rathke's pouch is accessorial and consists in provision of cell material.
