Light and electron microscopic investigations on stellate cells in pars distalis of the adenohypophysis of ducks and geese.

The pars distalis of geese and ducks was investigated by light and electron microscopical methods to identify certain peculiarities of the stellate cells. Stellate cells were found in both cephalic and caudal lobes of the pars distalis in both sexes of geese and ducks. These cells were small in size and stained blue to violet by Performic-Acid, Alcian- blue (pH 0.2), PAS, Orange G stain. The stellate cells have numerous fine and long cytoplasmic processes which are linked together and with the pars distalis cells by cell junctions. Some of the stellate cells were arranged into folliclelike structure entirely surrounding an extra-cellular heterogenous substance. Particular emphasis was given to the ultrastructure peculiarities of the stellate cells which may be considered to exhibit secretory as well as phagocytic activities.