OBSERVATIONS ON THE ACIDOPHIL CELLS OF THE ADENOHYPOPHYSIS IN PREGNANT AND LACTATING RABBITS

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Abstract
Two varieties of acidophil cells, one staining with erythrosine and other with orange G, were observed in the adenohypophysis of the rabbit. Granular erythrosinqphil cells were plentiful only near the postero-ventral and lateral surfaces of the gland in non-parous animals and in early pregnancy: after mid-pregnancy they increased in numbers greatly and spread thorughout the pars distalls proper. There was rapid and widespread degranulation of the erythrosinophils within 24 hr. of parturition and during the first 2 weeks of lactation. The number of granular stage rose and of degranulated stages fell, in the 3rd and 4th weeks post partum. The yellow cells showed similar but less striking changes in numbers and secretory activity during pregnancy and lactation. It is suggested that prolactin is produced by the erythrosinophil cells. One or more globular intra-nuclear bodies appear to be a characteristic of the erythrosinophil cells in some stages of the secretory cycle; such inclusions were not noted in the nuclei of the the yellow acidophils or of the mucoid cells.