p75-NGFR expression in the human prenatal pituitary gland

The aim of this study was to elucidate the distribution of nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) in the prenatal human pituitary gland until 21 weeks of gestation. Eight fetuses, with gestational ages from 13 to 21 weeks, were examined. The midaxial tissue block from the cranial base, including the pituitary gland and the sella turcica, was excised from the fetuses. The tissue was decalcified, embedded in paraffin, and cut in serial sections in 4-micro thicknesses. Immunohistochemistry was performed with monoclonal antibody p75-NGFR. p75-NGFR immunoreactivity was observed in fetuses from 15 weeks of gestation in the borderline between pars intermedia and the neurohypophysis.