Cell types in the fetal pars tuberalis of the human adenohypophysis at mid-gestation.

The pars tuberalis of the adenohypophysis was investigated in three human fetuses at mid-gestation by electron microscopy or immunohistochemistry. In addition to gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs, identified by immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural morphology, electron microscopy revealed the existence of an additional differentiated cell type closely resembling "pars tuberalis-specific" cells known from other species. The role of this cell type in the human endocrine regulation remains to be elucidated.