Scanning electron microscopy of rat neurointermediate lobe cells in culture.
Enzymatically dispersed cells of the rat pars nervosa -- pars intermedia (NI) were observed by scanning electron microscopy after 1, 2 and 4 days in culture. The cells attached to the plate slowly, requiring about 3--4 days for the majority to adhere. The epithelial cells became attached singly and in clumps and branched chains, often over a bed of fibroblast-like cells. After the first day in culture, few surface features were evident on the NI cells, but by day 2, the surfaces showed a small number of blebs. In 4-day cultures, the cells revealed extensive areas with blebs and microvilli, and a few structures resembling cilia were observed. The adrenocorticotrophic hormone content of the cells after 4 days in culture was similar to that found in fresh tissue.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008297:Male; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones