FUNCTIONAL-DIFFERENTIATION OF THE EMBRYONIC CHICKEN PITUITARY-GLAND STUDIED BY IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL APPROACH

The cephalic and caudal lobes of the embryonic chicken pituitary of different embryonic ages were investigated by immunohistological methods. The onset of production of ACTH, GH, and PRL was determined. ACTH antiserum was raised against synthetic ACTH, while GH and PRL antisera against these hormones were purified from chicken adenohypophysial tissue. The occurrence of secretion of ACTH and GH was detected 1-3 days earlier than described previously by other authors (viz. ACTH by 7 days of incubation and GH by 12 days). It seems also to be reasonable to accept that the first signs of PRL secretion appear on the sixth day of incubation. The localization of the different trophic hormone-producing cells, however, agreed with the findings available in the literature. The specificity of the different antisera used in this study is thoroughly discussed on the grounds of different types of control investigations. © 1979.