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Light and electron microscopic investigations of six types of glandular cells of the bovine adenohypophysis

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Summary

Twelve bovine adenohypophyses were prepared for light and electron microscopy of the cell types of pars distalis. Correlation between the light and electron microscopy was effected by use of alternate thin and thick sections. Cytological changes in the experimental animals were used as criteria for the identification of six different types of secretory cells.

Two types of acidophils, alpha and epsilon cells, are recognized in peripheral area of the pars distalis by light and electron microscopy. The alpha cells contain orangeophilic secretory granules of a maximum diameter of 400–450 mμ and correspond to ordinary acidophils (STH cells). The second type, epsilon cells, contains larger, fuchsinophilic granules of 600 to 900 mμ in diameter, increase in number and granulation after pregnancy and thyroidectomy, and are thought to be prolactin cells (LTH cells).

Two types of amphophils, zeta and delta 1 cells, were found in the central area of the pars distalis. The zeta cells contain smaller numbers of amphophilic, cored granules (200 mμ maximum diameter) and based on the comparison with literature on other species of animals, are designated as ACTH cells. The delta 1 cells are round or oval and contain very dense, spherical granules (250–300 mμ) which are stained red or reddish purple with PAS, aldehyde thionin and PAS-methyl blue methods. They show extreme enlargement and bizarre cytoplasmic appearance after castration and are designated tentatively as LH gonadotrophs or LH cells.

Two types of basophils, beta and delta 2 cells, were also identified by correlative light and electron microscopy. The beta cells are polygonal in outline, distributed exclusively in the zona tuberalis and contain large, less dense secretory granules (300–400 mμ) which are stained selectively with Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin. After thyroidectomy, they lose their secretory granules and are transformed into large, vacuolated thyroidectomy cells. They are therefore, identified as thyrotrophs or TSH cells. The delta 2 cells are round, oval or polygonal in shape and contain basophilic granules ranging from 220 to 300 mμ in diameter. They show extreme enlargement and vacuolization due to the dilation of endoplasmic reticulum, after castration, and are designated tentatively as FSH gonadotrophs or FSH cells.

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  1. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan

    Shin-Ichi Mikami

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  1. Shin-Ichi Mikami
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The investigation reported herein was supported by a Scientific Research Grant (No. 291049) from the Ministry of Education of Japan.

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Mikami, SI. Light and electron microscopic investigations of six types of glandular cells of the bovine adenohypophysis. Z. Zellforsch. 105, 457–482 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335422

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