Memoirs: A Study of the Histology of the Pituitary Gland of the Skate

1936 ◽  
Vol s2-78 (312) ◽  
pp. 637-651
Author(s):  
N. H. HOWES
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Ventral Surface ◽  
Anterior Region ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Intermediate Lobe ◽  
Pars Tuberalis ◽  
Ventral Lobe ◽  
Pars Anterior

1. The structure of the pituitary of the adult skate is described. 2. This gland shows two distinct regions of growth which can be correlated with increase of size of the animal. 3. The pars anterior can be subdivided into three regions differing by the staining reactions of their constituent cells: (a) an anterior region where deep-purple chromaphil cells are found; (b) a middle, where they are faintly basiphil; and (c) a posterior, where they are mainly acidophil. 4. It is suggested that these regions are homologous with the pars tuberalis, basiphil, and oxyphil areas respectively of the pars anterior of the mammalian pituitary. 5. The oxyphil cells show an iodine-leucobase reaction similar to that given by the oxyphil cells of the ox pituitary. 6. The ventral lobe is a completely separate structure from the pars intermedia, although it may run along the ventral surface of the latter for some distance. 7. The histology of the neuro-intermediate lobe is described.

Demonstration of desacetyl α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in fetal and adult human anterior pituitary corticotrophs

1989 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Coates ◽  
I. Doniach ◽  
J. M. P. Holly ◽  
L. H. Rees
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Anterior Lobe ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Intermediate Lobe ◽  
Human Pituitary ◽  
Human Pituitary Gland ◽  
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Pars Anterior ◽  
Human Anterior Pituitary

ABSTRACT Immunocytochemistry, radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques have been used in combination to investigate the presence of immunoreactive (ir)-α-MSH in the normal human pituitary gland, and to investigate the possible origin of these cells from the fetal pars intermedia. Two separate antisera to α-MSH were employed in immunocytochemistry to distinguish between authentic α-MSH and the desacetyl form. Only desacetyl α-MSH was detected in the pituitary gland of fetal and adult man, in both the pars (zona) intermedia and the pars anterior. In the fetus, a large proportion of the ACTH-containing cells of the anterior lobe also contained ir-α-MSH, while ir-α-MSH containing cells were more sparse in adults. Radioimmunoassay of acid extracts of adult pituitary tissue showed α-MSH levels representing less than 0·05% of the ACTH content of the gland. HPLC analysis of these extracts confirmed that only the desacetyl form was present. These results suggest that α-MSH peptides are synthesized by anterior lobe cells of the human pituitary gland, which are not derived from the fetal pars intermedia. Possible regulatory mechanisms affecting cells which contain ir-α-MSH are discussed, and by comparison with the intermediate lobe of other species it is concluded that there is little evidence for a true intermediate lobe in the human pituitary gland. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 120, 525–530

Histopathology of pituitary tumours

2011 ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
Eva Horvath ◽  
Kalman Kovacs
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Pars Tuberalis ◽  
Posterior Lobe ◽  
Human Pituitary ◽  
Human Pituitary Gland ◽  
Fibre Network ◽  
Pars Anterior ◽  
A Minor

The human pituitary gland consists of two major components: the adenohypophysis comprising the hormone producing cells of the pars anterior, pars intermedia, and pars tuberalis, and the neurohypophysis, also called pars nervosa or posterior lobe (1). In contrast to most mammalian species, the human gland has no anatomically distinct pars intermedia (2). The exclusively proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-producing cells of the pars intermedia are sandwiched between the anterior and posterior lobes in the majority of mammals, whereas in the human they are incorporated within the pars anterior, thereby constituting the pars distalis (3). The pars tuberalis is a minor upward extension of the adenohypophysis attached to the exterior of the lower pituitary stalk. In this chapter we deal only with adenohypophyseal tumours. Histologically, the adenohypophysis consists of a central median (or mucoid) wedge flanked by the two lateral wings. The hormone-producing cell types are distributed in an uneven, but characteristic manner. The cells are arranged within evenly sized acini surrounded by a delicate but well-defined reticulin fibre network giving the pituitary its distinct architecture (4). In the center of the acini is the long-neglected pituitary follicle composed of the agranular nonendocrine folliculo-stellate cells (5).

Interleukin-1β stimulates cell proliferation in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland

1994 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Stępień ◽  
G Żerek-Mełen ◽  
S Mucha ◽  
K Winczyk ◽  
J Fryczak
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Molecular Forms ◽  
Brdu Incorporation ◽  
Immunocytochemical Staining ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Intermediate Lobe ◽  
Intermediate Cell ◽  
Receptor Antibody

Abstract Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a multifunctional monokine which possesses an impressive array of diverse actions relating to the function of the immune system. IL-1 is present and formed locally in the brain as demonstrated by biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Various immunomodulatory and neuroendocrine effects of IL-1 have been reported, including induction of several morphological changes in the endocrine cells of experimental animals and humans. IL-1 is present in two molecular forms (IL-1α and IL-1β) that activate specific receptors for IL-1. In the present study we investigated the possible effect of recombinant human IL-1α and IL-1β and recently cloned anti-human IL-1 receptor antibody (M10) on cell proliferation in the anterior and the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland of the rat. In vivo labelling with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and immunocytochemical staining with anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody were used as a sensitive index of cell proliferation. IL-1β was found to stimulate dose-dependently (0·1–10 μg/kg body weight) incorporation of BrdU into pituitary intermediate cell nuclei, and positive correlation between the tested doses of IL-1β and BrdU-labelling index was noted (r=0·89; P<0·01). This IL-1β-induced stimulation of pituitary pars intermedia cell proliferation was receptor specific, since stimulation was blocked by anti-IL-1 receptor antibody. On the other hand, recombinant human IL-1α did not affect BrdU incorporation and the proliferation of pituitary pars intermedia cells. In addition, neither of the cytokines tested in the same experimental conditions showed any effect on the cell growth of the pituitary pars anterior. These results suggest that IL-1β may be involved in the regulation of the cell growth of the pituitary intermediate lobe in rats. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 140, 337–341

Beta-adrenergic stimulation of the release of ACTH- and LPH-related peptides from the pars intermedia of the rat pituitary gland

1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J. H. Tilders ◽  
M. Post ◽  
S. Jackson ◽  
P.J. Lowry ◽  
P. G. Smelik
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Cortical Cell ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Intermediate Lobe ◽  
Spontaneous Release ◽  
Adrenergic Stimulation ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
In Vitro Superfusion ◽  
Rat Pituitary

Abstract. The intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland produces a series of peptides related to ACTH and LPH. The spontaneous and isoproterenol-stimulated release of such peptides was studied during in vitro superfusion of rat neurointermediate lobes with Krebs-Ringer medium. Products released into the superfusion medium were quantified by direct measurement or after chromatography on Sephadex G-50. ACTH bioactivity was determined by use of adrenal cortical cell suspension assay. In addition, NH2-terminal ACTH, CO2H-terminal ACTH, α-MSH and β-endorphin radioimmunoassays were used. The results show that 1. neurointermediate lobes of rats secrete spontaneously various ACTH- and LPH-related peptides in amounts proportional to the amounts in which these peptides are found in extracts of the neurointermediate lobe; 2. the β-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, stimulated the spontaneous release of various peptides, including α-MSH, ACTH, CLIP, glycosylated CLIP, and β-endorphin-like peptides; 3. isoproterenol induced a dose-dependent (10−9–10−7 m), parallel increase in the release of α-MSH and ACTH following similar time courses and showing indentical EC50 values (about 10−8 m). Although the spontaneous release of α-MSH and ACTH from rat neurointermediate lobes is not strictly coupled under the conditions used in this study, isoproterenol seems to affect the spontaneous release of these peptides to the same relative extent.

EFFECTS OF PIMOZIDE AND BROMOCRIPTINE ON THE PROLIFERATION OF RAT PITUITARY PARS INTERMEDIA CELLS

1977 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. RYCHTER ◽  
H. STEPIEŃ
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Mitotic Activity ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Dopamine Receptor Agonist ◽  
Intermediate Lobe ◽  
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Medical Academy ◽  
Rat Pituitary

Department of Experimental Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Medical Academy of Łódź, Dr. Sterling str. 3, 91-425 Łódź, Poland (Received 31 May 1977) The secretory function of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland is under hypothalamic control (Howe, 1973; Hadley & Bagnara, 1975). Penny, Thody, Tilders & Smelik (1977) have suggested that the synthesis and release of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) is mediated by dopaminergic neurones which make synaptic contact with secretory cells in the pars intermedia (Björklund, Moore, Nobin & Stenevi, 1973). We have attempted to examine whether the dopaminergic mechanism is also involved in the control of the mitotic activity of the pars intermedia cells and have studied the effects of pimozide, a dopamine receptor blocker (Anden, Butcher, Corrodi, Fuxe & Ungerstedt, 1970) and 2-bromo-α-ergocriptine (bromo-criptine), a dopamine receptor agonist (Loew, Vigouret & Jaton, 1976) on the mitotic activity of the pars intermedia of the rat pituitary gland. Twenty-three

HISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF OXIDATIVE ENZYMES IN THE ADENOHYPOPHYSIS OF THE PIG, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE PARS INTERMEDIA

1967 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. HOWE ◽  
A. J. THODY
Keyword(s):  
Histochemical Demonstration ◽  
Oxidative Enzymes ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Pars Tuberalis ◽  
Secretory Function ◽  
Oxidoreductase Activity ◽  
Similar Activity ◽  
Enzyme Distribution ◽  
Nad Oxidoreductase ◽  
Pars Anterior

SUMMARY The adenohypophysis of the pig was examined histochemically for the presence of 11 oxidative enzymes, namely: 1.1.1.27 l-lactate: NAD oxidoreductase, 1.1.1.30 d-3-hydroxybutyrate: NAD oxidoreductase, 1.1.1.37 l-malate: NAD oxidoreductase, 1.1.1.41 threo-ds-isocitrate: NAD oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), 1.1.1.42 threo-ds-isocitrate: NADP oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), 1.1.1.49 d-glucose-6-phosphate: NADP oxidoreductase, 1.1.99.5 l-glycerol-3-phosphate: (acceptor) oxidoreductase, 1.3.99.1 succinate: (acceptor) oxidoreductase, 1.4.1.2 l-glutamate: NAD oxidoreductase (deaminating), 1.6.99.1 reduced-NADP: (acceptor) oxidoreductase, 1.6.99.3 reduced-NAD: (acceptor) oxidoreductase. With the exception of 1.1.1.30 d-3-hydroxybutyrate: NAD oxidoreductase, activity was found throughout the adenohypophysis for all these enzymes. A comparison was made with the activity for these enzymes in liver. In the adenohypophysis, the pars tuberalis exhibited the highest activity for all enzymes, generally equal to or greater than that shown by the liver. The pars intermedia and the pars anterior showed similar activity for these enzymes, in general of a lower order than that given by the liver. The pattern of enzyme distribution in the pars intermedia is described; high activity for 1.1.1.37 l-malate: NAD oxidoreductase, 1.1.1.27 l-lactate: NAD oxidoreductase, 1.6.99.3 reduced-NAD: (acceptor) oxidoreductase, 1.6.99.1 reduced-NADP: (acceptor) oxidoreductase was shown by cells lining cysts and the pituitary cleft. The findings are discussed in relation to the possible association of these enzymes with secretory function.

scholarly journals Cyclic Changes In The Hypothalamo Neurohypophysial System of Xenentodon Cancila (HAM.)

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (02) ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Z. B. Khuroo
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Third Ventricle ◽  
Neurosecretory System ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Intermediate Lobe ◽  
Optic Chiasma ◽  
Hypothalamic Nuclei ◽  
Xenentodon Cancila ◽  
Cyclic Changes

The presence of functional hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system in vertebrates has led to revise earlier views regarding the hypothalamus-pituitary relationship. The hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system which consists of hypothalamic nuclei, their axonal fibres forming tractus preoptico-hypophyses and the neurohypophysis) works as a morphological as well as a physiological connection between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. In fishes, fibres from the neurosecretory hypothalamic nuclei terminate in the neurohypophysis, which remains inter digitized with the adenohypophysis and provides a very close association between the neurosecretory fibres and pars intermedia of the pituitary gland forming a neuro-intermediate lobe. Hypothalamo-Neurosecretory complex of Xenentodon cancila consists of Nucleus Pre-opticus (NPO), Nucleus Lateralis Tuberis (NLT) and their axonal tracts. NPO is a paired structure situated on either side of the third ventricle anterodorsal to the optic chiasma. NPO is divisible into a dorsal Pars Magnocellularis (PMC) consisting of large neurosecretory cells and Pars Parvocellularis (PPC) formed of smaller neurons. Neurons of PMC and PPC contribute beaded axons to form neurohypophysial tract. Herring bodies are seen in the anterior as well as posterior neurohypophysis.

THE PITUITARY GLAND OF THE FEMALE FERRET

1960 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. HOLMES
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Alcian Blue ◽  
Periodic Acid ◽  
Performic Acid ◽  
Neurosecretory Material ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Pars Tuberalis ◽  
Neural Process ◽  
Positive Material ◽  
Orange G

SUMMARY Six distinct types of cell can be distinguished in the pars distalis of the pituitary gland of the female ferret after staining by performic acid-Alcian blue followed by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-orange G. The first of these types contains coarsely granular PAS-positive material; the second contains granules which stain with Alcian blue, with or without PAS-positive material; while the third contains finely granular or diffuse PAS-positive material. The fourth type of cell, apparently equivalent to the 'carminophil' of other species, stains deep orange due to a combination of staining with orange G and a weakly positive PAS reaction. The fifth type is the ordinary acidophil, and the sixth the chromophobe. The pars tuberalis is extensive, and may be compact or lobulated. The pars intermedia contains two types of cell, but shows no obvious secretory characteristics. The neural process consists of a central zone which resembles the stalk in structure, and a peripheral, more vascular zone which contains the bulk of the neurosecretory material. A nucleus of small nerve cells lies in the junctional region where the stalk joins the main neural process.

The distribution of immunoreactive α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone cells in the adult human pituitary gland

1986 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Coates ◽  
I. Doniach ◽  
A. C. Hale ◽  
L. H. Rees
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Pars Intermedia ◽  
Immunoperoxidase Technique ◽  
Human Pituitary ◽  
Human Pituitary Gland ◽  
Adult Human ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
Nodular Hyperplasia ◽  
Pars Anterior

ABSTRACT It has been suggested that a proportion of the adenomas and the nodular hyperplasia of cells in the pituitary gland in cases of Cushing's disease are derived from cells of the pars intermedia rather than the pars anterior. The evidence can be summarized as follows: (1) the posterior site of adenoma or nodular hyperplasia in the pituitary, (2) the innervation of cells and (3) the suppressive response to the dopamine agonist bromocriptine in vivo or to dopamine in vitro. All these observations infer analogy with cells of the pars intermedia of other species, which are controlled by direct neural tonic dopaminergic inhibition. The adult human pituitary gland, however, does not possess a morphologically distinct pars intermedia, due to regression of the rudimentary fetal pars intermedia after birth, with mixing of cells into the pars anterior and pars nervosa. Since cells of the pars intermedia characteristically synthesize α-MSH, we have studied this peptide in order to assess the occurrence and distribution of intermedia-derived cells in the adult human pituitary. Sections from 100 pituitaries, removed at autopsy, were stained by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique using non-cross-reacting antisera specific for α-MSH and ACTH. Immunoreactive α-MSH (IR-α-MSH) cells were found in a total of 97 specimens. Of these, only ten cases showed a marked concentration of IR-α-MSH cells in the zona intermedia. In the majority of pituitaries, IR-α-MSH cells were more commonly seen in the pars anterior than in the zona intermedia; in 41 cases, IR-α-MSH cells were completely absent from the zona intermedia. The number of IR-α-MSH cells varied greatly, from less than ten cells per section to many hundreds, regardless of the age or sex of the individual. Additionally, no correlation could be made between the number of IR-α-MSH cells and the cause of death, treatment or the period of time between death and removal of the pituitary. We conclude that cells containing IR-α-MSH are present in varying numbers in the normal adult human pituitary gland. These cells do not show a specific distribution pattern, but may be found in both the zona intermedia and are spread throughout the pars anterior. J. Endocr. (1986) 111, 335–342

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