Electron Microscopic Study of the Adrenocorticotropin-Producing Cell With the Use of Unlabeled Antibody and the Soluble Peroxidase-Antiperoxidase Complex

Abstract

The technique involving use of unlabeled antibody and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex was used to identify the adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-secreting cell in the antenor pituitary lobe of the rat and to localize ACTH in it electron microscopically in ultrathin sections. The ACTH cell is starshaped, with processes extending around other cells, and contains secretory granules of a maximal diameter of 300 mp arranged peripherally along the plasma membrane. Stain was observed on secretory granules, around them, in the Golgi complex and in rough endoplasmic reticulum. One day after adrenalectomy, the ACTH cell is degranulated and the staining intensity of its remaining granules and cytoplasm is decreased, suggesting release of ACTH stores. If cortisol is given 6 hr after adrenalectomy, 18 hr later the ACTH cells are well granulated and the granules stain more intensely than normal.

Ontogenesis of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in the human fetal pancreas. A combined radioimmunological and immunocytochemical study.

“…The immunocytochemical reaction on thin sections with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex (30) was based on the method described by Moriarty and Halmi (31). Peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex (the antiperoxidase made in rabbit) was purchased from Dako-immunoglobulins a/s (Copenhagen, Denmark).…”

Identification of Acth Cells and TSH Cells in Rat Anterior Pituitary With the Unlabeled Antibody Enzyme Method on Adjacent Thin and Thick Sections

“…To date, however, methodologic difficulties have prevented application of this technique to distinguish between the ACTH and TSH cell types at electron microscopic resolution (6,17,18,24,26 Two groups of adult male rats of the Wistar strain were used. The control group consisted of untreated rats, and the other group consisted of rats sacrificed at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after adrenalectomy.…”

Histidyl-proline diketopiperazine (His-Pro DKP) immunoreactivity is present in the glucagon-containing cells of the human fetal pancreas.

“…The unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method (34) was applied as described previously (22). The grids were contrasted with lead citrate before observation.…”