Cytology and distribution of secretory cell types in the mouse hypophysis as demonstrated with immunocytochemistry

Abstract

Since differential chemical staining has been unsatisfactory for demonstration of specific secretory cell types in the hypophyseal pars distalis of the mouse, the objective of this study was to determine whether the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical procedure might be more effective. Accordingly, representative sections from the hypophyses of 17 female and 15 male adult mice of the Swiss-Webster strain were immunostained, 16 antisera to 5 pituitary hormones or their subunits being utilized. Five secretory cell types were demonstrated. Somatotropes were ovoid to spheroidal and distributed quite generally in the gland except for the "sex zone" where they were scarce. Somatotropes were larger and more numerous in the male than in the female. Mammotropes were polyhedral and also generally distributed in the gland except for the "sex zone" where few were observed. Mammotropes were larger and more numerous in the female than in the male. Corticotropes were small, stellate and few. They were most common near the ventral surface of the gland and formed bilateral centromedial groups in the lateral wings. Thyrotropes were usually large and polyhedral. They were restricted almost solely to the ventral region of the pars distalis. Gonadotropes were polyhedral, and generally distributed, except for aggregation in the cephalomedian "sex zone." Most gonadotropes appeared to contain both luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Thus, all secretory cell types recognized in other species can be demonstrated readily in the mouse hypophysis with immunocytochemistry.

Prevention of ovarian damage induced by cyclophosphamide in adult female mice by hormonal manipulations

“…(Hughes et ai, 1958). This method has been proved satisfactory in previous studies on the influences of various hormones on cell proliferation of an experimental mammary tumour (Paridaens et ai, 1985;Kiss et ai, 1986Kiss et ai, , 1987 (Baker & Gross, 1978;Watanabe, 1985 The first part of this work led us to the hypothesis that ovarian failure arises from a direct action of cyclophosphamide on the ovaries, combined with increased gonadotrophin secretion rather than with its inhibition, as was suggested by others (Rose & Davis, 1977). This working hypothesis was indirectly checked in the second part of our work, by experiments trying to abolish the 'gonadotrophic surge' by administration of oestradiol, MPA or danazol.…”

Editorial: The Anterior Pituitary Gland - Co-Ordinating an Alphabet of Peptides

“…Gonadotrophs are especially in the anterior-ventral portion [26] near the borders of the intermediate and posterior lobes [27]. In mice, gonadotrophs aggregate in the cephalic ventromedial area [28]. Prolactin-containing cells are distributed throughout the gland [29,30], although two groups of cells were distinguished, one centrally located and one forming a narrow peripheral rim on the gland [31].…”

“…Corticotrophs have mainly an even distribution, frequently in juxtaposition to somatotrophs [26] and are less frequently observed in the antero-ventral region and the area immediately adjacent to the intermediate lobe. In mice, corticotrophs are most commonly located near the ventral surface and in the lateral wings [28]. The scarce thyrotrophs are at the periphery of the gland [26], and in mice almost solely in the ventral region [28].…”

“…Prolactin-containing cells are distributed throughout the gland [29,30], although two groups of cells were distinguished, one centrally located and one forming a narrow peripheral rim on the gland [31]. In mice, lactotrophs are generally distributed except in the cephalic ventromedial area [28] and in chickens are localized in the cephalic lobe [32]. Lactotrophs exist in close proximity to gonadotrophs in some regions of the gland of rats and also horses [33][34][35].…”

“…Lactotrophs exist in close proximity to gonadotrophs in some regions of the gland of rats and also horses [33][34][35]. Somatotrophs in rats are evenly distributed sagitally and rostrocaudally, but unevenly dorsoventrally [36]; in mice, somatotrophs are generally distributed except in the cephalic ventromedial area [28]; in chickens GH-secreting cells are localized in the caudal lobe [32]. Corticotrophs have mainly an even distribution, frequently in juxtaposition to somatotrophs [26] and are less frequently observed in the antero-ventral region and the area immediately adjacent to the intermediate lobe.…”