Structural and ultrastructural modifications of adenohypophyseal gonadotropic cells in goat (Capra hircus) in anoestrus, gestation and milk production.

The structural and ultrastructural modifications of the gonadotropic cells of goats were studied with an immunohistochemical method (peroxidase-antiperoxidase), in anoestrus, gestation and milk production. The cell type which predominates in anoestrus corresponds in its morphological characteristics to the classic FSH cells, and has two populations of homogeneous and electrodense secretory granules (141-244 nm and 244-400 nm in diameter), rough endoplasmic reticulum of flat cisternae and many large-sized lysosomes. During gestation secretory granules show a characteristic reduction in size and are less abundant; lysosomes are also more scarce and the endoplasmic reticulum shows a high development; dilated and intercommunicated cisternae show a slight electrodense content, characteristic of typical LH cells. During milk production the cells show an increase in the number of secretory granules which are still small, and an increase in the number of lysosomes which appear as in anoestrus.