DNA SYNTHESIS IN ADULT RAT ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLANDS IN ORGAN CULTURE

Anterior pituitary glands of adult male rats weighing 175-500 g were cultured for periods up to 13 h in Medium 199 containing 2 μc/ml of 3H-thymidine. Extraction of the nucleic acids from pituitary homogenates by conventional biochemical procedures indicated that the 3H-thymidine was incorporated into DNA. In addition, radioautographs showed that the newly synthesized DNA was nuclear and in pituitary parenchymal cells. Labeled mitotic figures were found, and labeled acidophils and basophils were also observed. These results indicate that pituitary cells committed to the synthesis of specific hormones can also synthesize DNA. © 1969.