Enrichment of Rat Anterior Pituitary Cell Types by Metrizamide Density Gradient Centrifugation*

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Abstract
Anterior pituitary cells derived from hypothyroid rats were enzymatically dispersed and then fractionated by equilibrium sedimentation through a metrizamide density gradient. Populations relatively enriched in thyrotrophs, somatotrophs, mammotrophs or gonadotrophs were obtained. The thyrotroph-enriched fraction was put into short-term culture and tested for hormone responsiveness. TRH stimulated TSH release with an ED50 of 8 .times. 10-10 M, and this TRH effect was inhibited by T3 [triiodothyronine] with an ED50 of 1.6 10-11 M free T3. Metrizamide density gradient centrifugation is a useful technique for obtaining relatively enriched populations of viable anterior pituitary cell types.