ISSN:
1432-119X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The cells of the mammalian adenohypophysis store a substance, probably a tryptophyl-peptide, which exhibits formaldehyde-induced fluorescence (FIF). The fluorescence intensity and the number of cells in different parts of the adenohypophysis of human fetus or rat were studied after the following treatments: formaldehyde vapour alone, acidification of the formaldehyde-treated sections with hydrochloric acid or with glacial acetic acid, acetyl chloride vapour alone, as well as combined formaldehyde and acetyl chloride vapour. The combined formaldehyde and acetyl chloride treatment induced an unexpectedly strong fluorescence in the pars intermedia of the rat, the fluorescence intensity, being 16 times that observed after formaldehyde treatment alone. In the pars distalis a moderate number of fluorescent cells was seen. After the acidification with hydrochloric acid the fluorescence intensity of the pars intermedia of the rat became 6 times stronger, but it did not cause the appearence of more fluorescent cells in the pars distalis. Acidification with glacial acetic acid had no effect on the fluorescence intensity. The intensity often began to increase only in the UV light, which is a new finding in the field of the, fluorescence histochemistry. The histochemical properties of the fluorogenic substance of the adenohypophysis of the human fetus and the rat were the same. The results of the combined formaldehyde and acetyl chloride treatment were easily reproducible, the fluorescence was strictly localized in the cytoplasm, and the microscopic structure of tissue was well preserved. The procedure is simple and easy to carry out. Thus, it offers good possibilities for the study of tryptophyl-peptides in various cells.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00499127
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