Neurosecretion and Neuroendocrine Activity: Evolution, Structure and Function

The book deals with three major approaches in elucidating the general evolutionary events responsible for the structure and function of neurosecretory elements: (1) phylogenetic development of neurosecretory elements and their function, (2) ontogenetic development of neurosecretory elements and their function, and (3) the role of neuroendocrine mechanisms in realizing species adaptation, i.e., mechanisms causing the evolutionary process.

Half of the chapters deal with evolutionary aspects. The majority of them are concerned with the role of different types of neurosecretory cells in the regulation of homeostasis and of the function of endocrine glands, primarily that of the adenohypophysis.