ISSN:
0362-2525
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Pituitary glands of adult male lizards (Anolis carolinensis) were studied in an effort to monitor seasonal cytologic changes quantitatively. Cells were identified immunocytochemically and on the basis of ultrastructural characteristics.Electron micrographs of the anterior pars distalis (containing lactotropes, corticotropes, and gonadotropes) of lizards collected in spring and fall were analyzed morphometrically. Lactotropes are the most numerous cell type in this area and occupy the largest volume. They are closely followed by corticotropes. Neither kind of cell undergoes a marked seasonal change in number or size or in the percent of the analyzed volume they occupy. Morphometric and ultrastructural criteria indicate an increased level of activity in all three kinds of secretory cells in the spring, although changes are relatively modest in corticotropes and lactotropes.Gonadotropes occupy less than half the volume of either of the other secretory cells in the analyzed area, but undergo considerable seasonal modification. They are larger (〉 40%) and more numerous (20%) in the spring, and show an increase in biosynthetic organelles at this time. Although the density of secretion granules may be reduced in the enlarged spring gonadotropes, the number of granules per cell may not be altered seasonally.Seasonal changes in the three cell types analyzed are moderate in contrast to the cytologic modifications described in pituitary cells following castration or other experimental procedures. Necrotic cells appear to be a normal component of the pituitary gland of Anolis carolinensis throughout the year.
Additional Material:
6 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1051930302
