Mitotic activity of gonadotropes in the anterior pituitary of the castrated male rat.
The proliferation of gonadotropes in the anterior pituitary of the castrated male rat was examined immunohistochemically after colchicine treatment. The results show a more than 10-fold increase in mitotic frequency in gonadotropes 1 or 2 weeks after castration, as compared with controls. This result explains the increase in the population of immunoreactive LH cells in castrated male rats. The gonadotropes decreased significantly 1 month after castration. The mitotic activity of gonadotropes was almost completely suppressed in castrates implanted with a silastic tube filled with testosterone.
D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone