title: Appearance of LH-immunoreactive cells in the Rathke's pouch of the chicken embryo.
abstract: The differentiation of the pituitary of the chicken embryo was studied by means of an immunohistochemical technique using antisera to turkey and chicken pituitary hormones. Immunoreactive LH-cells are detected in 4-day embryos (stage 23 of Hamburger and Hamilton) when the primordium of the anterior pituitary, the Rathke's pouch is only composed of a single-layer epithelium lined with an undifferentiated mesenchyme. A few immunoreactive cells are observed grouped on the posterior aspect of the pouch. As development proceeds, a strip of positive cells is detected encircling the Rathke's pouch. Prolactin-, growth hormone-, and ACTH-immunoreactive cells are detected in 6- and 7-day embryos, only after the pituitary has acquired its characteristic structure with cords in which different cell types become progressively recognizable. The early appearance of immunoreactive LH-cells following a precise distribution shows that secretory properties and differentiation capacities are acquired simultaneously in the epithelium of the Rathke's pouch and may be induced by the same stimulus.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002642:Chick Embryo; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone