title: Two types of thyrotropes (TSH cells) in the adenohypophysis of the untreated mouse.
abstract: Employing immunohistochemical techniques with OsO4 single fixation, we identified mouse pituitary thyrotropes (TSH cells). The cells stained with TSH antiserum are angular or slender with a small nucleus. These cells contain small secretory granules (about 120-200 nm in diameter) and numbers of cored vesicles, either attached to the cell membranes or lying free in a relatively electron transparent cytoplasm. In the untreated male mouse, the TSH cell modifies its morphology according to the functional phase. The first form of TSH cells [Type I] is small. The endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus are not prominent, and secretory granules are very few. In the second hypertrophied form [Type II], the endoplasmic reticulum is very prominent and occurs as a series of grossly dilated sacs of irregular shape. The Golgi apparatus is greatly enlarged and a large number of electron-dense secretory granules and cored vesicles are observed. Type II thyrotropes are rarely encountered in normal tissue.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Anatomy, Aichi Medical University, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwama
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin