Morphologic effects of cysteamine on the rat adenohypophysis

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Exp. Mol. Pathol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4800(84)90017-0· OSTI ID:5762477

Cairns, P D; McComb, D J; Horvath, E; Kovacs, K; Milligan, J V; Szabo, S

In pituitary lactotrophs of female Sprague-Dawley rats given cysteamine (300 mg/kg, per os/day) for 7 days, forming granules were increased in number and contained many separate electron-dense structures suggesting crinophagy. Compared to control values, cysteamine treatment caused no change in blood prolactin (PRL) levels, measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). 17 beta-Estradiol (50 micrograms, sc/day) for 7 days, induced lactotroph hyperplasia and increased blood PRL levels which were unaffected by simultaneous cysteamine administration. The ultrastructural changes did not reflect those due to bromocriptine suppression of secretory activity, and supported the concept that cysteamine altered lactotroph morphology by an unknown mechanism. In pituitary gonadotrophs following cysteamine treatment, increased electron lucency of luminal contents of dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum was noted; however, blood luteinizing hormone (LH) levels did not differ from those of control values. In ovariectomized rats, cysteamine suppressed castration cell formation and reduced blood LH levels, suggesting an interference with the cell's ability to respond to GnRH stimulation. The morphologic effects of cysteamine appeared to be selective to lactotrophs and gonadotrophs, and were not secondary to vascular impairment, as capillary endothelial cells were undamaged.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Toronto, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 5762477
• Journal Information: Exp. Mol. Pathol.; (United States), Journal Name: Exp. Mol. Pathol.; (United States) Vol. 41:3; ISSN EXMPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201 -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AMINES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
DRUGS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ESTRADIOL
ESTRANES
ESTROGENS
FERMIONS
GLANDS
GONADOTROPINS
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LEPTONS
LTH
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MEA
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PITUITARY GLAND
PITUITARY HORMONES
RADIOASSAY
RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES
RATS
RODENTS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
THIOLS
TOXICITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES