Characterization by different techniques of adrenocorticotropin and gonadotropin producing cells in lerot pituitary (Eliomys quercinus).

Adrenocorticotropin and gonadotropin producing cells were localized in the adenohypothysis of normal Lerots by using anti-beta 1-24 ACTH, anti-LH, anti-LH beta, anti-PMSG antisera. In order to study their fine structure two techniques were employed: a superimposition technique which consists of detailed comparisons between the same cells in light, fluorescence and electron microscopic preparations and an immunocytochemical technique on ultra-thin sections using the peroxidase anti-peroxidase complex technique. The superimposistion technique allows an excellent description of cell ultrastructure of individually identified cells of each type. With this method we were able to describe the corticotropin secreting cells as lucent cells with electron dense granules ranging in size from 2500 to 3500 A. The gonodotropin secreting cells are darker and their granules are about 2000 A in diameter.