title: Immunohistochemical study of cyst structures in chick ultimobranchial glands.
abstract: In order to clarify the functional significance of cyst structures located in ultimobranchial glands, chick ultimobranchial glands of various ages were investigated by an immunoperoxidase method using anti-calcitonin, anti-somatostatin and anti-19S-thyroglobulin antisera. At hatching, the cysts were consistent features of the chick ultimobranchial glands. With aging, they gradually increased in volume and number. In adult chickens, a major portion of ultimobranchial glands was occupied by cysts of various sizes, shapes and luminal contents. Some cyst epithelium consisted of calcitonin-positive cells alone, and a portion of the cystic contents was intensely immunoreactive to the calcitonin antiserum. Neither cyst epithelium nor luminal contents were stained with the 19S-thyroglobulin or the somatostatin antiserum. The present study indicates that some cyst structures of chick ultimobranchial glands are related to the synthesis, secretion and accumulation of calcitonin.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000378:metabolism; D014460:Ultimobranchial Body / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013004:Somatostatin; D002116:Calcitonin; D013954:Thyroglobulin