THE SIZE OF GROWTH HORMONE GRANULES IN PITUITARY ADENOMAS PRODUCING ACROMEGALY

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Abstract
Measurements of the diameters of large numbers of granules in electron micrographs of pituitary adenomas in cases of acromegaly do not show that a typical size exists which allows the retrospective diagnosis of the hormone secreted by the tumor. The granule diameters found in single cases show a normal distribution. The average values determined in 19 unselected cases of acromegaly range from 160-342 nm. They are also normally distributed about the mean for the entire group which is 238 nm. With histoimmunological EM techniques hGH [human growth hormone] can be demonstrated in small, medium and large granules. The size of hormone granules is determined by functional factors such as the speed of hormone synthesis and hormone release but not by the type of hormone secreted.

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