Summary
Seven distinct types of secretory cell can be differentiated in the pituitary gland of the fresh-water catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The presumptive prolactin cells appeared completely degranulated. Corticotrophs and thyrotrophs were identified by their response to metopirone and β methasol or to thiourea and thyroxine respectively. A single gonadotrophic cell type was identified, which showed a progressive increase in nuclear size, cell size and cytoplasmic granulation related to vitellogenesis in the ovary. Presumptive somatotrophs did not react to any of the experimental treatments used. In the pars intermedia, one of the two cell types — the PbH+ cells — showed an increase in activity in response to metopirone, thyroxine and reserpine; the PAS+ cells in this region remained relatively inactive.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anand, T. C., Sundararaj, B. I.: Response of the pituitary of the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) to bilateral ovariectomy. Acta anat. (Basel) (in press) (1974)
Baker, B. I.: The cellular source of melanocyte stimulating hormone in Anguilla pituitary. Gen. comp. Endocr. 19, 515–521 (1972)
Ball, J. N., Baker, B. I.: The pituitary gland. In: Fish physiology, vol. 2, p. 1–110 (W.S. Hoar and D. J. Randall, eds). New York & London: Academic Press Inc. 1969
Emmart, E. W., Pickford, G. E., Wilhelmi, A. E.: Localisation of prolactin within the pituitary of a cyprinodont fish, Fundulus heteroclitus (L), by specific fluorescent antiovine prolactin globulin. Gen. comp. Endocr. 7, 571–583 (1966)
Herlant, M.: Etude critique de deux techniques nouvelles destinées à mettre en évidence les différentes catégories cellulaires présentes dans la glande pituitaire. Bull. Micr. appl. 10, 37–44 (1960)
Kraicer, J., Herlant, M., Duclos, P.: Changes in adenohypophysial cytology and nucleic acid content in the rat 32 days after bilateral adrenalectomy and the chronic injection of cortiso L. Canad. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 45, 947–956 (1967)
MacConaill, M. A.: Staining of central nervous system with lead haematoxylin. J. Anat. (Lond.) 81, 371–372 (1947)
Mattheij, J. A. M., Stroband, H. W. J., Kigma, F. J.: The cell types in the adenohypophysis of the cichlid fish Cichlasoma biocellatum Regan, with special attention to its osmoregulatory role. Z. Zellforsch. 118, 113–126 (1971)
Olivereau, M.: Action de la reserpine sur l'hypophyse, l'interrénal et les cellules chromaffines de l'Anguille. C. R. Soc. Biol. (Paris) 157, 1357–1360 (1963)
Olivereau, M.: Action de la métopirone chez l'Anguille normale et hypophysectomisée, en particulier sur le système hypophyso-corticosurrénalien. Gen. comp. Endocr. 5, 109–128 (1965)
Olivereau, M.: Observations sur l'hypophyse de l'Anguille femelle, en particulier lors de la maturation sexuelle. Z. Zellforsch. 80, 286–306 (1967)
Olivereau, M.: Etude cytologique de l'hypophyse du Muge, en particulier en relation avec la salinité extérieure. Z. Zellforsch. 87, 545–561 (1968)
Olivereau, M.: Elaboration d'intermédine par les cellules colorées avec l'hématoxyline au plomb dans la pars intermedia de l'Anguille: preuves nouvelles et contrôle hypothalamique. C.R.Acad. Sci. (Paris) ser. D, 272, 102–105 (1971)
Olivereau, M.: Action de la reserpine chez l'Anguille. 11. Effet sur la pigmentation et le lobe intermédiaire. Comparaison avec l'effet de l'adaption sur un fond noir. Z. Anat. Entwickl.- Gesch. 137, 30–46 (1972)
Sundararaj, B. I.: A study on the correlation between the structure of the pituitary gland of the Indian catfish Heteropneustes and the seasonal changes in the ovary. Acta anat. (Basel) 37, 47–80 (1959)
Sundararaj, B. I.: Correlation between the structure of the pituitary and the changes in the testes of the Indian catfish Heteropneustes. Acta anat. (Basel) 40, 305–322 (1960)
Sundararaj, B. I., Anand, T. C.: Effects of piscine and mammalian gonadotropins on gametogenesis in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Gen. comp. Endocr., Suppl. 3, 688–702 (1972)
Sundararaj, B. I., Goswami, S. V.: Effect of short and long term hypophysectomy on the ovary and interrenal of catfish. J. exp. Zool. 168, 85–104 (1968a)
Sundararaj, B. I., Goswami, S. V.: Effects of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone on the pituitary and ovary of catfish. J. exp. Zool. 169, 211–228 (1968b)
Sundararaj, B. I., Nayyar, S. K.: Effect of prolactin on the “seminal vesicles” and neural regulation of prolactin secretion in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Gen. comp. Endocr. Suppl. 2, 69–80 (1969)
Zambrano, D., Nishioka, R. S., Bern, H. A.: The innervation of the pituitary gland of teleost fishes. In: Brain-Endocrine interaction. Median eminence: structure and function (K. M. Knigge, D. E. Scott, A. Weindl, eds.) p. 50–66. Int. Symp. Munich, 1971. Basel: Karger 1972
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baker, B.I., Keshavanath, P. & Sundararaj, B.I. The cell-types in the adenohypophysis of the Indian catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Cell Tissue Res. 148, 347–358 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224262
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224262