title: Avian somatotrophs: differentiation, morphology, distribution, and regulation.
abstract: Growth hormone (GH) is primarily synthesized, stored, and released by pituitary somatotrophs. These cells comprise a highly labile population that continuously undergoes proliferation, differentiation, and morphogenesis in response to changing physiological stimuli. They are also functionally and morphologically heterogeneous with distinct spatial and temporal distribution within the pituitary gland. The characteristics of these cells are discussed in this brief review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Bishops University, Lennoxville, QC, Canada. khull@ubishops.ca
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone