Ultrastructural observaitons of growth hormone (STH) cells of anterior pituitary glands of partially hepatectomized rats.

Ultrastructural changes in pituitary growth-hormone cells were observed in partially hepatectomized rats. The hepatectomies were carried out during the afternoon after 3 p.m. The animals were sacrificed by decapitation at midnight at intervals of 32, 80, and 104 hours after the operation. The principal changes in the growth-hormone cells of anterior pituitary glands of partially hepatectomized rats were: (1) increased numbers of secretory granules in exocytosis, (2) increased numbers of microtubules, and (3) enlargement of endoplasmic reticulum and occurrence of dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticula. Many growth-hormone cells contained a reduced number of secretory granules. Exocytosis of growth-hormone granules was more frequently observed in animals sacrificed at 32 hours after the operation than in those killed at 80 or 104 hours after surgery. The above results in which appearance of numerous microtubules and active secretory granule extrusion in the growth-hormone cells were observed after hepatectomy indicate that ultrastructure of growth-hormone cells and growth hormone secretion were markedly stimulated by the operation.