Molecular basis of pituitary development defects

Over the last twenty years, the progress made in molecular biology have led to the identification of many transcription factor genes, whose mutations has been reported as causes of familial hypopituitarism

Aim:Based on literature review, this study is intending to highlight the role of some transcription factors in the development of the anterior pituitary gland and to analyse the involvement of their dysfunction in some cases of congenital hypopituitarism

Methods: Litterature review

Results: These transcription factors are nuclear proteins expressed specifically in certain target cells, in order to control genes expression. Their role is fundamental in embryonic and foetal development, and particularly in embryonic and foetal development, and particularly in pituitary ontogenesis. Together, they direct the formation of anterior pituitary gland, the differentiation, the expansion and the definitive function of the five pituitary cell types. In this report, after introducing the different stages of anterior pituitary development and differentiation of its cell lines, we will briefly highlight the clinical phenotypes associated with alterations of different transcription factor genes in both murine models and humans

Prepubertal developmental studies on the anterior pituitary lobe, thyroid and uterus of barki sheep

The growth and development of pituitary, thyroid and uterus of Barki sheep were studied during prepubertal period. These tissues were embedded in paraffin and sectioned and strained with different stains. Indirect immunofluorescent technique was made for localization of LH in the cells of pituitary glands. The following changes were observed. In the pituitary gland, the appearance of LH immunoreactivity increased from the 3rd month of age onward and rose to the highest level at the 6th month then stabilized till the 9th month, from this time onward there was a gradual decrease of its activity. In the thyroid glands, there was gradual increase of thyroid activity from day 1 till 6 month, indicated by gradual increase in number and height of follicle cells. In the uterus, the endometrial glands appeared at one month, from the first month till the 5th month the endometrial glands invaginated from the surface epithelium as straight tubules, while from the 5th month till the 9th month, the endometrial gland were coiled with wide lumen containing secretory product