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Pituitary gland of the garter snake (Thamnophis): Morphology and immunocytochemistry
Gloria Z Wurst1, Anita K Pearson2, Paul Licht2
1Department of Zoology, Weber State College, Ogden, Utah 84408.
Abstract:
The three-dimensional gross morphology of the pituitary gland of the garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is presented. Hormone-producing cells of the pars distalis were localized immunocytochemically. Corticotropes and lactotropes occur in the anterior two-thirds of the gland; corticotropes are especially numerous in the area of the pars distalis nearest the median eminence, and lactotropes are most abundant medially. Somatotropes are restricted to the posterior one-third of the pars distalis. Gonadotropes and thyrotropes are scattered throughout the pars distalis and in favorable sections form a network of cells enclosing clusters of peptide-secreting cells.
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