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Fine Structure of the Pars Distalis of the Pituitary Gland in the Female Mink, Mustela vison
Author(s) -
Weman Birgitta
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1974.tb00185.x
Subject(s) - mink , biology , hormone , endocrinology , medicine , immunocytochemistry , pituitary gland , gonadotropic cell , endocrine gland , endocrine system , thyrotropic cell , luteinizing hormone , ultrastructure , radioimmunoassay , anatomy , ecology
Pituitary glands of intact and experimental adult females of mink, Mustela vison, were examined by electron microscopy. Conventional methods involving removal of endocrine glands (ovaries and adrenals), administration of radioactive isotope, 131 I, blocking agents (thiouracil and metopirone) and hormones (thyroxine, hydrocortisone, thyrotropin and luteinizing hormone releasing hormones) were employed. Five categories of granular cells were distinguished both by their ultrastructural characteristics and qualitative changes throughout the year and following different treatments. The cell types are described and their functions discussed. From conventional electron microscopical studies it proved difficult to draw any satisfactory conclusions about the gonadotropic cells. Further investigation by means of immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay techniques is required to determine, whether the presumptive gonadotropic cell type produces both FSH and ICSH or only one of these hormones. Morphologically two types of agranular cells were identified. Their morphological inter‐relationship and function are discussed briefly.