ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Pars tuberalis
;
Rat
;
Development
;
Secretion
;
Ultrastructure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The development of the pars tuberalis was studied in the rat fetus from 13 days of gestation to 6 weeks after birth. After the closure of Rathke's pouch, the pars tuberalis anlage is clearly distinguishable from the anlagen of the partes intermedia and distalis. It comprises the entire basal portion of the adenohypophysial anlage; the limit between the anlagen of the pars tuberalis and the pars distalis is defined by Atwell's recess, i.e. the pathway taken by the hypophysial vessels coming from the vascular plexus of the median eminence. At 14 days the pars tuberalis cells are characterized by the presence of glycogen which persists in the adult. Their secretory differentiation (elaboration of granules with a diameter of 100–120 nm) is obvious at 15 days of gestation. It therefore, clearly precedes that of the other hypophysial cell types. Its functional differentiation takes place well before its adhesion to the primary vascular plexus of the portal system. Cystic formations appear just before birth in the pars tuberalis, much later than those of the pars distalis. These observations on the development of the pars tuberalis, together with previous observations on the adult PT in various species, showing that the specific glandular cells of the pars tuberalis are cytologically different from all known adenohypophysial cell types, seem to indicate a specific endocrine function of this lobe.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00307357
