Immunohistochemical characterization of pituitary stellate cells in rats.

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Abstract
Pituitary stellate cells from the normal adult male rats [r] were immunohistochemically investigated at the light microscopical level by the use of rTSH[thyrotropin]-.beta., porcine [p] ACTH1-39, pACTH17-39, rFSH [follitropin] and ovine [o] FSH antisera. They were characterized by the stellate shape and a mimic engulfment of acidophils. They were identified to be the ACTH cells but some were TSH cells. Although most of the corticotrophs showed a peripheral fringe immunostained with the pACTH17-39 antiserum, some others were stained diffusively throughout the cytoplasm. The latter cells coincided, in shape and in homogenous stainability of the cytoplasm, with the stellate TSH cells. Both cells did not correspond but were independent in distribution at the same site of the gland on the adjacent 2 sections. The stellate type of FSH cells could react with the oFSH antiserum, but not with the rRSH antiserum. Absorption tests of the oFSH, pACTH1-39 and pACTH17-39 antisera were carried out an by application of pACTH. In consequence, the pACTH1-39 and pACTH17-39 antisera were absorbed efficaciously by the ACTH antigen at the dose of 10 .mu.g/ml, but the oFSH antiserum was not enough absorbed by ACTH in the doses of less than 1 mg/ml. Whether or not the single stellate cells produced ACTH and FSH was not decided.