Ultrastructural study of the adenohypophysis of the Chinese hamster.
The adenohypophysis of normal Chinese hamsters of both sexes was examined ultrastructurally. Organs were fixed by intravascular perfusion with S-collidine-buffered glutaraldehyde solution. Seven types of cells were differentiated and, according to morphological characteristics, classified as (1) mammotropes, with very large (400-800 nm) polymorphous secretory granules; (2) somatotropes, either in the storage phase with numerous large, dense granules (average 300 nm), or in the hormone synthesis phase, with abundant endoplasmic reticulum and large Golgi apparatus; (3) corticotropes, with irregular cell shape, and granules (average 160 nm) arranged in lines parallel to the cell membrane; (4) FSH gonadotropes, with abundant and dilated endoplasmic reticulum, and granules (190-320 nm) uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm; (5) LH gonadotropes, with granules (120-220 nm) of varied density; (6) thyrotropes, with irregular cell shape and very small granules (120-160 nm), and (7) agranulated cells. The ultrastructure of the adenohypophysis of the Chinese hamster corresponds closely with observations reported in rats, mice and Syrian hamsters.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone