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Pituitary gland of the garter snake ( Thamnophis ): Morphology and immunocytochemistry
Author(s) -
Wurst Gloria Z.,
Pearson Anita K.,
Licht Paul
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1052000203
Subject(s) - thamnophis sirtalis , biology , median eminence , pituitary gland , gonadotropic cell , somatotropic cell , corticotropic cell , anatomy , thyrotropic cell , immunocytochemistry , endocrinology , hypothalamus , zoology , hormone
The three‐dimensional gross morphology of the pituitary gland of the garter snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis ) is presented. Hormone‐producing cells of the pars distalis were localized immunocytochemically. Corticotropes and lactotropes occur in the anterior two‐thirds of the gland; corticotropes are especially numerous in the area of the pars distalis nearest the median eminence, and lactotropes are most abundant medially. Somatotropes are restricted to the posterior one‐third of the pars distalis. Gonadotropes and thyrotropes are scattered throughout the pars distalis and in favorable sections form a network of cells enclosing clusters of peptide‐secreting cells.