Plurihormonality in the secretory granules of the normal human pituitary. An immunoelectron microscopic study.
Normal human autopsy anterior pituitary tissue from 5 cases was embedded in LR White resin and immunolabelled using silver-enhanced 5-nm protein A gold probes. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) were immunolocalised to the level of secretory granule. A two-sided double-labelling method was used to cross-react two hormones at a time with respect to their corresponding antibodies. All possible combinations of the six pituitary hormones were tested. Plurihormonal granules were found that contained LH + FSH, LH + TSH, and FSH + TSH. Each hormone was also found in monohormonal granules. Granule diameter was significantly larger in the pluri as opposed to monohormonal granules.
Slater
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Electron Microscope Unit, Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
D000368:Aged; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*
D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior