Influence of a progestogen on the cytophysiologic character of the bovine adenohypophysis.

The objective in the present experiment was to study the effects of melengestrol acetate (0.5 mg for 14 days starting at day 15 of the estrous cycle) on the cytophysiologic character of the bovine adenohypophysis. Twelve Hereford and Angus heifers were used. A combination of thick-thin sectioning of resin-embedded material was used to aid in specific identification of individual hypophyseal cells. Alterations were not observed in the cytophysiologic activity of the presumptive prolactin-, somatotropin-, thyrotropin- or corticotropin-secreting cells. A marked increase in chromophobes was observed in animals given melengestrol acetate. Evidence indicated that these chromophobes originated from gonadotropin-secreting cells.