EFFECT OF CULTURE ON ULTRASTRUCTURE OF DISSOCIATED RABBIT ADENOHYPOPHYSEAL CELLS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 121  (APR) , 241-258
Abstract
Dissociated cells of the rabbit adenophypophysis have been cultured in HEPES buffered medium 199 containing serum as open cultures in 5% CO2 in air. The cultured cells were examined by light microscopy and EM. Several methods of culturing were compared: clumps, obtained by centrifuging initially trysinized cells; isolated cells, seeded as a single layer and monolayer spreads, developing from clump cultures. When cultured as reaggregated clumps all the principal cell types remain viable and maintain their separate identity for more than 50 days. During this time both acidophil and mucoid cell types retain functional integrity. Two different nodes of granule extrusion are observed, 1 being specific to acidophol cells and the other to mucoid cells. Under the culture conditions, hormone release can continue in the absence of hypothalamic factors. A special form of collagen fiber is found in the intercellular spaces. Monolayers of cells obtained from dispersed cells were maintained for over 50 days, and those derived from clump cultures survived for more than 90 days. Fibroblasts and epithelial-like cells are common in each case.