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Localization of thyrotropin (TSH) in the dog pituitary gland

A study using immunoenzyme histochemistry and chemical staining

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Summary

Using the immunoperoxidase technique and antisera to the specific beta (β) subunits of bovine and rat TSH1, selective immunocytochemical staining was localized in a specific cell population in the pars distalis of the dog pituitary gland. These TSH cells were found to be positive to aldehyde fuchsin, alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and aniline blue. With the performic acidalcian blue (pH 0.2) -PAS-orange G procedure these cells stained blue-purple, demonstrating FSH/LH cells (blue or turquoise), ACTH/MSH cells (redpurple) and PRL cells (orange-red). The TSH cells were further differentiated from other functional cell types of the pars distalis on the basis of their typical cytological features, intraglandular distribution and by immunocytochemical double staining. In the pars distalis of adult male dogs the TSH cells were mostly shown to be smaller in size and less numerous than in bitches in the anestrous phase of the sexual cycle. Moreover, cytological alterations in the immunoreactive thyrotrophs in the pituitary of male and female dogs generally paralleled the spontaneous changes in thyroid function associated with thyroid atrophy and/or pituitary insufficiency, and thyroid hyperplasia or goiter. In conclusion, because of their specificity and high potency, the antisera to the β-subunits of bovine and rat TSH represent an effective tool for the selective immunocytochemical localization of TSH in the dog pituitary. This allows the study of the morphology and function of TSH cells under different physiological, pathological and experimental conditions.

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Abbreviations

ACTH :

Adrenocorticotropin

FSH :

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

GH :

Growth Hormone

LH :

Luteinizing Hormone

MSH :

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

PRL :

Prolactin

TSH :

Thyrotropin

TRH :

TSH Releasing Hormone

CG :

Chorionic Gonadotropin

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Author notes

  1. M. R. Fath El Bab

    Present address: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Assiut, Assiut/Egypt

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratories of Schering AG, Berlin/Bergkamen, Germany

    M. F. El Etreby & M. R. Fath El Bab

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  1. M. F. El Etreby
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  2. M. R. Fath El Bab
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The authors are grateful to Mrs. B. Schilk and Miss U. Tüshaus for their excellent technical assistance

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El Etreby, M.F., Fath El Bab, M.R. Localization of thyrotropin (TSH) in the dog pituitary gland. Cell Tissue Res. 186, 399–412 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224930

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