IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF PRO-GAMMA-MSH, GAMMA-MSH, ACTH AND BETA-ENDORPHIN BETA-LIPOTROPHIN IN THE FETAL SHEEP PITUITARY - AN ONTOGENIC STUDY

  • 1 October 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 8  (5) , 355-368
Abstract
An immunocytochemical staining technique was used to localize four fragments [pro.gamma.MSH, .gamma.MSH, ACTH and .beta.endorphin/.beta.lipotrophin (.beta.endorphin/.beta.LPH)] of the proopiomelanocortin molecule in both the adult and fetal sheep pituitary. In the adult sheep anterior pituitary each fragment was localized in cells that were darkly stained, stellate and widely distributed throughout the gland. The same cells, identified in three serial sections, stained with anti-pro.gamma.MSH, anti-ACTH1-24 and anti-.beta.endorphin/.beta.LPH. In the fetal sheep anterior pituitary all the proopiomelanocortin derived fragments were present at 38 days gestation. Between about 90 and 130 days of gestation both adults type proopiomelanocortin cells (small, stellate) and uniquely fetal cells (large, columnar) were present. Both adult-type and fetal proopiomelanocortin cells were identified in serial sections of the fetal anterior pituitary, stained with anti-pro.gamma.MSH, anti-ACTH1-24 and anti-.beta.endorphin/.beta.LPH. The adult intermediate lobe was immunoreactive with anti-pro.gamma.MSH and anti-.beta.endorphin/.beta.LPH but not with anti-.gamma.MSH or anti-ACTH. The fetal intermediate lobe was immunoreactive with all four antisera from 60 days gestation.

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