Post-Hatching Development of the Pars Distalis of the Adenohypophysis of the Quail (Coturnix coturnix)

Abstract

A total number of 95 Japanese quails from hatching up to the actively laying stage were used for studying the post hatching developmental changes occurred in the pars distalis. Quail's pars distalis was found to consist of two lobes (cephalic and caudal). All the cell types in the Quail's pars distalis varied during growth sexual maturity and laying. The gonadotrops (FSH and LH) are markedly increased from 4 weeks of age up to laying. Mammotrops appear to increase from 4 weeks till the onset of laying then begin to decrease, however the somatotrops were increased from hatching up to 4 weeks of age only. The thyrotrops became more evident about sexual maturity and laying.