Cell count value of pituitary basophils and serum TSH, LH and FSH concentrations during the short interval after thyroidectomy.

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Abstract
Quantitative changes of pituitary basophils were investigated by the method of Chalkley, together with radioimmunoassays of serum TSH, LH and FSH concentrations, in rats during the short interval after thyroidectomy (TX)(3, 6, 12 hr, 1, 3, 5 and 7 days). The irregularly shaped or elongated II-type cells (classical thyrotrophs), which are stained intensively with thionin, immediately decrease in number below the normal value (2.7±0.7%), to 0.6±0.2% at 12 hr and 0.3±0.1% at 7 days. The intermediate cells (II/III-type cells) can be easily distinguished, by their staining properties and shape, from the II-type cells and III-type cells (classical LH-gonadotrophs) during this time interval. The II/III-type cells are enlarged polygonal cells whose central area stains with PAS and whose peripheral area shows an affinity for thionin. They gradually increase in number after the first day. The total number of all kinds of the PAS-positive cells tends to rapidly increase after TX and reaches the highest value (12.3±0.8%) after as early as 12 hr. They are distinguishable as oval III-type cells stained violet and large spherical or polygonal IV-type cells stained red. However, the values returns to normal (9.7±0.5%) by 7 days. The total of all kinds of basophils (II-, II/III-, III-, III/IV- and IV-type cells), however, is not altered but remain balanced through the entire time. Serum TSH concentrations rise at 3 hr and fall thereafter, but rise again at 5 days (230.5±16.7ng/ml), the latter being equivalent to twice the normal value (122.5±8.7ng/ml). Serum FSH concentrations tend to be slightly reduced, but not profoundly, through the entire time course after TX. Serum LH concentrations quickly and conspicuously 4crease after the operation, reaching the lowest value (0.18±0.06ng/ml), equivalent to approximately 1/4 of the normal value (1.42±0.12ng/ml), within one day. It has been corroborated by the present results of cell counts and radioimmunoassays that, following TX, the II-type cells may transform morphokinetically into the III- and IV-type cells, supporting a working hypothesis as to the secretory cycle of the basophil proposed by Yoshimura et al.(1977).