An Electron Microscope Study of Pituitary Autograft Cells in the Rat

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Abstract
Pituitary glands were removed from adult estrous rats and transplanted to the renal capsule. Eighteen days later the graft tissue was removed and prepared for electron microscopy. All the cell types present in the normal gland were seen in these grafts, although the predominant cell was one having the following features: 1) an eccentric nucleus; 2) large and polymorphic secretory granules with immature granules concentrated in the Golgi area; 3) elaborate arrays of endoplasmic membranes and associated ribonucleoprotein particles. These grafts were actively producing luteotrophin, as evidenced by positive decidual reactions in all animals following uterine traumatization. On the basis of this study and earlier functional studies of pituitary autografts, it was concluded that a specific morphologic type of acidophile can be related to luteotrophin secretion in the rat.