Age-related changes in the regional distribution of hormones in the male rat anterior pituitary.
Some heterogeneity in the localization of hormone-containing cells has been reported in the mammalian anterior pituitary. Since age-related changes are present in pituitary hormone concentrations, the present study was designed to explore if such changes in the male rat are regionally consistent. The results show clear geographic patterns in the presence of immunoreactive LH, FSH, prolactin and TSH. In the two year-old male, specific regional declines in hormone concentrations were present. With one regional exception, such was not the case when values were expressed in total hormonal content. A fall in gonadotropins still appeared in the medial area of the most caudal strip. The results suggest that with age, there is a displacement of hormone-containing cells in the pituitary and that for the gonadotropes this effect appears to be more prominent within the medio-caudal area.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000032:analysis*; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000032:analysis*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000032:analysis
D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin