Structural and ultrastructural studies of GH, PRL and SMT cells in goat fetus (Capra hircus) using immunocytochemical methods

Abstract

The first data based on immunolabeling techniques of goat fetus adenohypophysis show that the structure and ultrastructure of growth hormone (GH)-, prolactin (PRL)-, and GH- plus PRL-secreting cells (SMT cells) in fetuses aged 100 days differ from those in the adult. Both cell number and cell size are smaller in the fetus, and the percentage of dark cells decreases with development. The data do not support the hypothesis that SMT cells represent the common origin of GH- and PRL-cells.