Effect of bilateral nephrectomy on growth hormone cells of the rat pituitary. A histologic, immunocytologic and...

Adult male Long Evans rats were bilaterally nephrectomized and their adenohypophyses studied at various time intervals by histology, immunocytology, electron microscopy and ultrastructural morphometry. In addition, radioimmunoassay was carried out to establish blood growth hormone concentrations. Growth hormone cells appeared to be more conspicuous and fine structural morphometry revealed an increase in the volume density of their secretory granules. Radioimmunoassay showed elevation of blood growth hormone levels. Morphologic alterations were also noted in some corticotroph cells and gonadotroph cells. Many capillaries showed congestion. The perivascular spaces had widened and edema fluid accumulated in the perivascular spaces. The pathogenesis of the changes remains to be elucidated.