[Effect of superior cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy on FSH, LH and GH cells of hypophyseal gland in female rats: a quantitative immunohistochemical study].

The effect of superior cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy (SCGx) on FSH, LH and GH cells of the adenohypophysis was investigated in normal and ovariectomized prepubertal female rats by immunohistochemistry and morphometry. At 2 weeks after SCGx in normal rats, FSH and LH cells increased in number and in immunostaining density: these indicate augmentation of their functional activity. These increases almost disappeared at 4-8 weeks after SCGx. After ovariectomy FSH and LH cells showed reduction of immunoreactive density, cell enlargement, vacuolation and increase of cell number. SCGx suppressed the morphological changes of both cells. GH cell number decreased at 2 weeks after SCGx in normal and ovariectomized rats, but after 4-8 weeks, the number was restored. The present data indicate that cervical sympathetic nervous system exerts a different influence on endocrine system, which depends on the types and activities of the cells in adenohypophysis. Sympathetic nervous system can play an important role of maintaining and regulating of the secretory function of the adenohypophysis.