Glycoprotein gonadotropin in the plasma and its cellular origin in the adenohypophysis of sham-operated and ovariectomized rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.

Among the cells of the pituitary generally believed to produce glycoprotein gonadotropin (GTH) five forms were distinguished, based on the amount and the diameter of granules and globules and the appearance of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In sham-operated trout so-called "globular" cells predominated, whereas after ovariectomy these were replaced by so-called "cisternal" cells, suggesting that both belong to one GTH-cell type. In addition, ovariectomy caused a strong increase in plasma GTH-levels. This indicates that the transition from globular to cisternal cells is accompanied by extrusion of GTH, and thus points to a storage of GTH in the granules and globules. It is argued that one of the five forms has the morphological characteristics of thyrotropic cells and may not produce glycoprotein GTH.