Summary
The ultrastructure of the secretory cells of the adenohypophysis of juvenile sockeye salmon was investigated. Pituitary glands were collected from immature fish transferred experimentally to sea water and subsequently returned to fresh water. The rostral pars distalis contained three cell types: ACTH cells, prolactin cells, and non-secretory cells. The prolactin and non-secretory cells were joined together in the form of follicles by desmosomes and they both had cilia and microvilli projecting into the follicle lumen. Various follicular structures such as lumen, multivesicular structures, and peripheral basement membrane are discussed as possible sites of prolactin cell granule release. The columnar ACTH cells were found at the junction of the rostral pars distalis and the neurohypophysis. The cytoplasmic granules in these cells were characteristically separated from their limiting membrane by a clear space. Multivesicular structures were also found in association with this cell type. The caudal pars distalis also contained three cell types: one acidophil (putative somatotrop) and two basophils (putative thyrotrops and gonadotrops), all of which were similar to those described in adult fish. The pars intermedia contained only one cell type. They appeared to be active cells and were characterized by containing membrane-bounded granules similar to those found in the ACTH cells. Changes in ambient salinity had no apparent effect on any cell type described.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ball, J. N.: Prolactin and osmoregulation in teleost fishes: a review. Gen. comp. Endocr., Suppl. 2, 10–25 (1969).
Ball, J. N., Baker, B. I.: The pituitary gland: Anatomy and histophysiology. In.: W. S. Hoar and D. J. Randall (eds), Fish physiology, vol. II, p. 1–93, 1969.
Ball, J. N., Olivereau, M.: Identification of ACTH cells in the pituitary of two Teleosts Poecilia latipinna and Anguilla anguilla: correlated changes in the interrenal and in the pars distalis resulting from administration of metopirone. (SU 4885) Gen. comp. Endocr. 6, 5–18 (1966).
Chestnut, C. W.: The pituitary gland of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum) and its function in gonad maturation and thyroid activity. Ph. D. Dissertation, Simon Fraser University, May, 1970.
Chidambaram, S., Meyer, R. K., Hasler, A. D.: Effects of hypophysectomy, pituitary autografts, prolactin, temperature and salinity of the medium on survival and natremia in the bullhead, Ictalurus melas. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 43, 443–458 (1972).
Cook, H., Overbeeke, A. P. van: Ultrastructure of the eta cells in the pituitary gland of adult migratory sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka. Canod. J. Zool. 47, 937–941 (1969).
Cook, H., Overbeeke, A. P. van: Ultrastructure of the pituitary gland (pars distalis) in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during gonad maturation. Z. Zellforsch. 130, 338–350 (1972).
Lam, T. J.: Prolactin and hydro-mineral regulation in fishes. Gen. comp. Endocr., Suppl. 3 (1972).
Leatherland, J. F.: Histophysiology and innervation of the pituitary gland of the goldfish, Carassius auratus L.: a light and electron microscope investigation. Canad. J. Zool. 50, 835–864 (1972).
McKeown, B. A., Overbeeke, A. P. van: Immunohistochemical localization of ACTH and prolactin in the pituitary gland of adult migrating sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). J. Fisheries Res. Board. Canada 26, 1837–1846 (1969).
McKeown, B. A., Overbeeke, A. P. van: Immunohistochemical identification of pituitary hormone producing cells in the sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka, Walbaum). Z. Zellforsch. 112, 350–362 (1971).
McKeown, B. A., Overbeeke, A. P. van: Prolactin and growth hormone concentrations in the serum and pituitary gland of adult migratory sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). J. Fisheries Res. Board. Canada 29, 303–309 (1972).
McLeay, D. J.: A histometric investigation of the activity of the pituitary-interrenal axis in juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, Walbaum. Ph. D. Dissertation, Univ. of British Columbia, May, 1970.
Nagahama, Y., Yamamoto, K.: Fine structure of the glandular cells in the adenohypophysis of the kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka. Bull. Fish., Hokkaido Univ. 20, 159–168 (1969).
Pang, P.K.T.: Endocrine control of calcium metabolism in fishes. Amer. Zool., (1973 in press).
Sage, M.: Thyroid function in fishes. Amer. Zool. (1973, in press).
Sage, M., Bern, H. A.: Cytophysiology of the teleost pituitary. Int. Rev. Cytol. 31, 339–376 (1971).
Schreibman, M. P., Leatherland, J. F., McKeown, B. A.: Functional morphology of the teleost pituitary gland. Amer. Zool. (1973, in press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The work was supported by a grant in aid of research from the National Research Council of Canada. We wish to thank Mr. R. Lindsay, Mr. C. Cooper, and Mr. G. Longworth for their technical assistance. We would also like to thank Mr. S. Killick of the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission for his assistance in the collection of fish and Dr. H. Cook for his helpful discussion of the project. This paper is No. 058 in the University of Guelph Migration Series.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McKeown, B.A., Leatherland, J.F. Fine structure of the adenohypophysis in immature sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka . Z.Zellforsch 140, 459–471 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306673
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306673