Adrenocorticotrophin secreting cells in the hypophysis of the brown spiny mouse Mus platythrix (Bennett).

ABSTRACT

Adrenocorticotrophin secreting cells are identified in the hypophysis of the brown spiny mouse Mus platythrix by conventional methods of light microscopy. Quantitative data showed that certain smaller acidophilic cells in the pars distalis, under conditions provoking their hypersecretion such as unilateral adrenalectomy and metopirone treatment, increase in number and size from the pre-existing corticotrophs. There is no evidence for the transmigration of these cells from the chromophobes, basophils or any other cell type. The pars intermedia revealed two types of cells of which the type II cells are histochemically identical to adrenocorticotrophin secreting cells of the pars distalis.