Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry of the adenohypophysis in the rat: a review.

Immunocytochemistry has made great strides in the morphology of endocrine glands, especially the adenohypophysis, because the localization of hormones can be clearly demonstrated by this method in the microscopic preparations both for light and electron microscopy. In the adenohypophysis, electron microscopic immunocytochemistry is useful for identifying the producer cell of each hormone. The second contribution is its application to the cell biology of secretion mechanisms. The pituitary hormones, their precursors, derivatives, and fragments were artificially synthesized and their antibodies were produced. Using these antibodies the intracellular sites of synthesis, condensation, processing, and sorting were studied under the electron microscope. The ultrastructure of each cell organelle and its alteration due to the changing function was studied. It was proved that the intracisternal granules in the thyroidectomy cells contain thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The trans-Golgi network or GERL contains a peculiar supporting structure, intracisternal skeleton. Transport of secretory granules may be performed in relation to the microtubules, actin, and some related substances. The most frequently observed mode of hormone release in the adenohypophysis is exocytosis. Sometimes multigranular exocytosis occurs. Vesiculation of membrane around the secretory granules often occur inward or outward. The inward vesiculation forms pinocytotic vesicles, through which the membrane material may be retrieved. The outward vesiculation forms vesicle-like fragments of cytoplasm being discarded to the extracellular space. By these mechanisms the surface area of the cell is maintained constantly.