EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY ON LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE (LDH) ACTIVITY IN THE REGENERATE AND LIVER DURING TAIL REGENERATION IN THE HOUSE LIZARD, HEMIDACTYLUS FLAVIVIRIDIS RÜPPELL

SUMMARY Quantitative determination of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was carried out in hypophysectomized and sham operated lizards, Hemidactylus flaviviridis Ruppell, during the course of tail regeneration. The activity of the enzyme showed a gradual rise during the blastema, differentiation and growth phases of tail regeneration. Compared to the controls, significantly low levels of enzyme activity were discernible during blastema formation in the hypophysectomized lizards. Hepatic enzyme activity also manifested considerably low levels. Lower levels of enzyme activity in the hypophysectomized lizards underscores the hormonal dependence of LDH synthesis. The slow rate of growth and the defects in the structural lay out observed in the regenerates in the hypophysectomized lizards have been discussed in the light of the significant involvement of LDH in metabolic interactions during tail regeneration.