title: [Metamorphosis today].
abstract: In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of birth of the Czech physiologist V. Laufberger who discovered in 1913 the possibility to induce metamorphosis in neotenous larvae of axolotls by feeding them with thyroid gland, the author gives an account on the development of knowledge regarding metamorphosis in amphibia. He analyzes the participation of endocrine glands, in particular thyroid hormones and prolactin. Special attention is devoted to mechanisms leading to resorption of the tail in tadpoles, i. e. the activation of lysosomal enzymes due to the action of thyroid hormones. Prolactin has an inhibitory effect on metamorphosis. An important part is obviously played by deiodination of the prohormone thyroxine in target tissues to active triiodothyronine. Recently it was demonstrated that during metamorphosis a significant role is played by apoptosis (controlled non-inflammatory absorption of superfluous cells).
authors.affiliation: III. Interní katedra 1. lékarské fakulty, Univerzity Karlovy, Praha.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schreiber
mesh_terms: D000557:Ambystoma / Q000254:growth & development*; D000818:Animals; D003604:Czechoslovakia; D049673:History, 20th Century; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D011898:Ranidae / Q000254:growth & development; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones
vernacular_title: Metamorfóza dnes.