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Changes in the pituitary of the migrating European eel during its journey from rivers to the sea

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Summary

The present studies demonstrate that, as migrating European silver eels enter the sea, important changes occur in the pars distalis of the pituitary. A decrease of Type A neurosecretory material in all nerve tracts penetrating the pars distalis was observed, as was an increased activity of Type B neurosecretion in the tracts of the proximal pars distalis.

In the proximal pars distalis, gonadotropic cells show striking changes, and in the rostral pars distalis thyrotropic and “prolactin” cells. It is discussed whether these changes are related to migration to breeding grounds or to changes in the environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, England

    Francis Knowles

  2. Anatomisches Institut der Universität Würzburg, Germany

    Lutz Vollrath

Authors
  1. Francis Knowles
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  2. Lutz Vollrath
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Dedicated to Dr. Berta Scharrer on her 60th birthday.

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Knowles, F., Vollrath, L. Changes in the pituitary of the migrating European eel during its journey from rivers to the sea. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 75, 317–327 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00407163

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00407163

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