Summary
The pars tuberalis of the rat, mouse, garden door mouse, European hamster, cat, cattle, chicken and newt is composed of two main cell types: specific secretory cells and follicular cells. The specific cells are characterized by comparable morphologic features in the investigated species, despite differences in the diameter of the secretory granulated vesicles; the ultrastructural morphology of these cells is different from that of any of the known cell types of the adenohypophysis. The follicular cells are devoid of secretory granules, they do not only line the numerous follicular cavities of the pars tuberalis but may also be found in the periphery of the cell cords (border cells). In addition, gonadotrophic cells are found; they predominate in the distal portion of the pars tuberalis and are definitely activated by castration or hypophysectomy. Experimental interventions on most of the major endocrine systems did not cause any noticeable ultrastructural changes in the specific cells. It appears certain that the pars tuberalis secretes a specific hormone whose function remains to be determined.
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Dellmann, HD., Stoeckel, M.E., Hindelang-Gertner, C. et al. A comparative ultrastructural study of the pars tuberalis of various mammals, the chicken and the newt. Cell Tissue Res. 148, 313–329 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224260
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224260