Ultrastructure of the adenohypophysis in the larval anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L.

The ultrastructure of the adenohypophysis (AH) in the larval anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., was examined. The AH is subdivided into three regions, the pro-, meso-, and meta-AH. Cells of the nasopharyngeal stalk extend directly beneath the pro- and meso-AH to form the ventral surface of the gland. Some cells in the pro- and meso-AH are arranged into small follicles. Each region of the AH is characterized by a single granulated (secretory) cell type. Granulated cells constitute 80-90% of the pro-AH and contain secretory granules that range from 800 to 2400 A in diameter. Only 10-20% of the cells in the meso-AH are granulated and they contain much smaller secretory granules (400 to 1250 A diameter) than those in the pro-AH. Granulated cells constitute 80-90% of the meta-AH and contain only a few secretory granules, ranging from 1000 to 2500 A in diameter, and many vesicles containing either a loose flocculent or dense granular material. Non-granulated (stellate) cells are found in all regions. They are characterized by their long cell processes, abundant cytoplasmic filaments, and variable electron density. The appearance of organelles in these cells suggests they are nonsecretory. They may play a role in maintaining the structural integrity of the gland and the regulation of granule release in the pro-AH. Two types of nongranulated cells make up 80-90% of the meso-AH. Type I are stellate cells, type II may be undifferentiated cells. The functional significance of the secretory cells in the larval AH is discussed.