[Cyto-immunological study of the anterior pituitary somatotropin cells of male and female adult Peking, Barbary and hybrid (from crossing male Peking X female Barbary) ducks and of male ducklings of the 3 races)].

The anti-human-STH immunserum applied on hypophysis sections of adults males and females Peking (Anas platyrhynchos L.) Barbary (Cairina moschata L.) and Hybrid (from the mating male Peking X female Barbary) ducks, marks orangeophils, oval- or round shaped, PAS negative cells exclusively localized in the caudal lobe of the pars distalis. In the males ducklings of the three races this immunserum reveals numerous and partially exhausted cells. The authors conclude that the acidophils alpha cells observed in the caudal lobe of the duck are somatotrophic cells.