The anterior hypophysis of the rabbit during oestrus and pseudopregnancy

Abstract

Since this paper is the fourth paper of a group in which we have considered cyclic histological changes in the anterior pituitaries of dogs, sows, rats and rabbits, it seems desirable that we summarize and correlate our findings in these different species. For this reason, we have reviewed in some detail the cyclic histological changes occurring in the anterior lobe of the hypophysis of the dog (Wolfe, Cleveland and Campbell, '32 and '33), of the rat (Wolfe and Cleveland, '33) and of the sow (Cleveland and Wolfe, '33). Previous to the appearance of these papers, cyclic histological variations had been described in the anterior hypophysis of the woodchuck (Rasmussen, '21) and of the rat (Haterius and Charipper, '30, and Reese, '32).Early in the studies on the cyclic changes occurring in the anterior hypophysis, it was found that there were certain differences in the histology of the anterior pituitary glands of different species. Thus, it was thoughl, advisable to study anterior lobe tissue from several different species of animals exhibiting different types of oestral cycles. I n this way it has been possible to correlate the histological picture presented by the anterior hypophysis of any particular species with the type of oestral cycle exhibited by that species. 'This work has been supported by grants from t f e Committee on Scientific

The Mucoid Cells of the Adenohypophysis of the Rabbit During Pregnancy and Lactation

“…Wolfe et al (1934) also described a reduction in the numbers of basiphil cells in the rabbit during the first 6 days of pseudopregnancy; they did not differentiate, however, between pdp and zt. As was mentioned earlier, the small decrease post coitum in zt may have no special significance.…”

“…It is a continuation of work whose object has been to elucidate the function of the cells of the adenohypophysis (Foster, 1963;Foster & Cameron, 1964;Young, Foster & Cameron, 1965a, b;. Wolfe, Phelps & Cleveland (1934) investigated the alteration in cell numbers in the adenohypophysis of the rabbit during oestrus and pseudopregnancy, using trichome stains. They did not, however, distinguish between the pars distalis proper and the zona tuberalis regions of the gland which differ from each other in a number of important respects (Allanson, Foster & Menzies, 1959;Foster & Cameron, 1964;Young et al, 1965a The technique of fixation by perfusion with formal-calcium chloridecadmium chloride has been described elsewhere (Allanson et al, 1959 The sections were from approximately midway through the gland and always included the pars distalis proper (pdp), zona tuberalis (zt), pars intermedia and infundibular process at one and the same time (for the relations of these regions see Young, Foster & Cameron, 1965a, b It will be seen (Text- fig.…”