Postnatal development of thyrotrophs in the rat anterior pituitary as studied by immunogold electron microscopy.

Thyrotrophs (TSH cells) of the rat anterior pituitary identified by immunogold electron microscopy were classified into three subtypes according to their morphological characteristics: Immature type TSH cells are oval with a few small secretory granules (50-100 nm in diameter) and poorly developed cell organelles. These cells are frequently found in the neonatal stage between birth and 10 days of age. The intermediate type is polygonal or stellate, containing a moderate number of medium sized secretory granules (80-120 nm in diameter) and moderately or well developed cell organelles. Cells of this type are often found between 10 and 30 days of age. Mature type cells are large and polygonal in shape, and contain many large secretory granules (120-180 nm in diameter) and well developed cell organelles. Cells of the last type are frequently found at more than 30 days of age. At 45 days of age the mature type TSH cells make up about 70% of all TSH cells. The proportion of immature type cells was shown to decrease while the proportion of the mature type TSH cells increases, as the animal grows.