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Electron microscope studies on the intermediate lobe of the embryonic mouse

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Summary

The development of the intermediate lobe of the hypophysis was studied in the embryonic C3H mouse; at least four glands from embryos of every gestational day from 15 to 19 were examined.

In the 16 day-old embryo prospective secretory cells proliferate at the centre of the intermediate lobe anlage. At the same stage cylindrical cells bordering the hypophyseal cleft begin to reorganize into marginal cells. By the end of fetal life marginal cells are well differentiated.

In the 17 day-old embryo a few granular inclusions appear in some centrally located cells. Secretory cells increase in number during the following two embryonic days. Some of these cells contain polymorphic populations of granular and vesicular inclusions by gestational day 19. The possibility of a dual formation of secretory inclusions is discussed.

The result implies that the onset of granule-formation by these cells is not contemporaneous with the start of production of melanophore-expanding substances, the presence of which has been detected by earlier biological assays.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Gothenburg, Fack, Sweden

    Laila Eurenius & Rune Jarskär

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  1. Laila Eurenius
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  2. Rune Jarskär
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Additional information

This investigation was supported by grant No. B 2180-026 from the Swedish Natural Science Research Council. The skilful technical assistance of Mrs. Ulla Wennerberg is gratefully acknowledged.

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Eurenius, L., Jarskär, R. Electron microscope studies on the intermediate lobe of the embryonic mouse. Cell Tissue Res. 164, 11–26 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221692

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221692

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