ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Adenohypophysis
;
PMS-primed rat
;
FSH gonadotrope
;
LH gonadotrope
;
Ultrastructure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The existence of distinct FSH and LH gonadotropes has been suggested by several investigators whereas others have supported a one-gonadotrope hypothesis. To obtain further clarification on this subject, ultrastructural studies of pituitaries and radioimmunoassays of serum FSH, LH and prolactin were carried out in the PMS treated immature rat. The surge of FSH began at 12 noon on day 32 with a maximum at 6 pm that continued into the next day, while the LH maximum was reached at 4 pm. The serum levels of prolactin also began to rise at 12 noon on day 32 but did not reach maximum until 8 am of day 33. FSH cells as defined earlier by Costoff (1973) were well granulated at 12 noon and at 4 pm on day 32. At this later time many FSH cells exhibited extensive Golgi complexes, hypertrophied vacuolar endoplasmic reticulum and often times greatly swollen mitochondria. At 7 PM of day 32 many FSH cells were in various stages of degranulation. LH cells were enlarged and well granulated prior to 12 noon of day 32 but thereafter appeared degranulated. On day 31, prolactin cells were enlarged and well granulated. Although these cells contained extensive endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes, there were few mature granules during day 32 and in the early morning hours of day 33. At 1 PM of day 33 most of the FSH and LH, and some prolactin cells were again granulated. These studies correlating ultrastructure with FSH and LH levels in the serum of PMS treated rats further suggest the existence of two distinct gonadotropes in the rat, one producing FSH and another LH.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00222036
