Does neonatal androgen modulate uptake and retention of 3H-estradiol in gonadotrophs and lactotrophs?

Castrated adult male and female and androgenized female rats (AS rats ) were injected i.v. with 3H-estradiol (E2). Nuclear uptake and retention of the 3H-steroid was examined in pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) cells by the combined techniques of autoradiography and immunocytochemistry. About 80% of PRL cells were found to concentrate the radioactive steroid compound in all experimental groups, while 89%, 82% and 68% of LH cells were found to be labeled in AS rats, normal female and male rats, respectively. This suggests that there are subpopulations of LH or PRL cells that contain no or, if any, small numbers of E2 receptor. Statistical analysis revealed that PRL cells take up more radioactivity than LH cells in male rats, while there is no significant difference between female and AS rats. Variations in E2 uptake (coefficient of variation) was higher in LH cells than in PRL cells in male rats and in AS rats. In females, on t the contrary, coefficient of variation was larger in PRL cells. Thus the characteristics of nuclear uptake and retention of estradiol in LH and PRL cells appear to be modulated in part by neonatal androgen since the pattern found in AS rats is different than that found in AS rats is different than that found in normal male and female rats.

Estrogen induced prolactin mRNA accumulation in adult male rat pituitary as revealed by in situ hybridization

Adult male rats were injected with different doses (1, 10, and 100 micrograms) of 17 beta-estradiol daily for 5 days, and the changes in prolactin (PRL) mRNA levels were examined by in situ hybridization and cytoplasmic dot blot hybridization using cloned cDNA for rat prolactin mRNA. An increase in cytoplasmic PRL mRNA content was evident in all the animals treated with estrogen as revealed with cytoplasmic dot blot analysis. There were however, no significant differences in PRL mRNA content among the three estradiol treated groups. Cytoplasmic PRL mRNA was also demonstrated by in situ hybridization on the frozen pituitary sections using a 3H-labeled PRL cDNA probe. The number of grains per cell was increased after estrogen treatment. 3H-thymidine uptake into pituitary cells was also examined in vivo using combined techniques of immunocytochemistry and autoradiography. Although the percentage of immunoreactive PRL cells which took up thymidine in their nuclei increased to more than double after estrogen treatment, the increase in the total number of immunoreactive PRL cells was small. These results suggest that the major effect of estrogen on PRL cells is an increase in the accumulation of PRL mRNA in the individual PRL cells. The number of grains per cell was found to vary from cell to cell, both in control and estrogen treated animals. This variability is discussed in relation to the functional heterogeneity within the PRL cell population.

Changes in the nuclear uptake and retention of 3H-estrogen in gonadotrophs and lactotrophs as a function of age

A quantitative autoradiographic immunocytochemical study was performed in which the nuclear uptake and retention of 3H-estradiol (3H-E2) by luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) cells was examined in 19-21-year-old baboons. 3H-E2 concentrating cells were found in all of the three lobes of the pituitary in varying percentages (38.7%, pars distalis; 17.1%, pars intermedia; 6.3%, pars nervosa). Approximately 80% of PRL cells and nearly 100% of LH cells were labeled. A count of the number of silver grains over nuclei revealed a marked variation of the accumulation of 3H-E2 by LH cells and to a lesser extent in PRL cells. These results suggest functional heterogeneity among LH and PRL cells. The present results are discussed in relation to the physiological state of old animals.

Fine-structural heterogeneity and morphologic changes in rat pituitary prolactin cells after estrogen and testosterone treatment

This study was conducted to determine the functional and/or developmental relationships among three heterogeneous types of prolactin cells (I, II and III) in rats. Rats were injected subcutaneously daily with estradiol or testosterone propionate on days 10-20 after birth. Estradiol increased the proportion of cell types II and III, increased serum PRL levels 12-fold in males and 15-fold in females, and increased pituitary levels of prolactin 12-fold in males and 5-fold in females. Testosterone mainly increased the proportion of the Type-II cells, decreased serum levels of prolactin in males only, and did not change pituitary levels of prolactin. In a second experiment, treatment of rats with nafoxidine for five days after E2 treatment (days 10-20 after birth) increased the proportion of Type-I cells and decreased the proportion of Type-III cells and decreased serum and pituitary levels of prolactin by 50% in females and by 15 and 45% in males. In a third experiment utilizing adult male rats, estradiol and testosterone were found to modulate the relative ratios of the different types of PRL cells as they did in immature animals. The data taken as a whole suggest the possibility of an estrogen-stimulated conversion of one cell type to another, which may be a reflection of prolactin secretory activity.

Postnatal new bone formation

The morphologic events and macromolecular interactions in matrix-induced bone formation are comparable with those occurring in the development of fracture callus. Thus, bone induction by decalcified bone matrix is an experimental model for fracture healing and a new tool for research concerning the biochemistry of bone cell differentiation. Three conditions are necessary for bone cell differentiation in postnatal life: (1) a three-dimensional pattern of proliferation of mesenchymal cells; (2) anchorage-dependent microvilli extending the proliferating cells; and (3) a locally released bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). To date, BMP with a molecular weight of 17,500-18,500 daltons has been isolated from bone, and a BMP-like protein with a molecular weight of 22,000 daltons has been extracted from mouse osteosarcoma. It is difficult to separate BMP, a collagenase-resistant, trypsin-labile acidic polypeptide, from several other low molecular weight proteins.

Agenesis of bilateral iliac bone. A case report

In a boy one year eight months of age, absence of the entire ilium was associated with spinal and rib anomalies. The ischium and pubis were present. Arthrograms of the hip joint revealed a normal configuration of the femoral head with the joint capsule attached proximally to the ischium and pubis.

Novel clonal strains from adult rat anterior pituitary producing S-100 protein

S-100 protein, one of the unique proteins found in the nervous system, has recently been discovered unexpectedly in the rat anterior pituitary. Immunocytochemistry reveals that stellate, follicular and folliculostellate cells, and marginal cells of the rat anterior pituitary contain this protein; however, as far as we know, there are no reports on the physiological role of this protein in the anterior pituitary. In the study reported here, three S-100 protein-producing clonal strains (JH-S3, JH-S8 and JH-S12) from adult rat anterior pituitaries were established by using the single cell-plating feeder layer method. These new clonal strains reveal that the S-100 protein-producing cell is an independent cell type of the anterior pituitary. Both cultures and grafts of the JH-S3 cells stain immunocytochemically with anti-S100 protein IgG fraction. Moreover, the S-100 protein and conditioned medium of JH-S3 clonal cells both stimulate release of prolactin from prolactin-secreting clonal cells (1G4) in vitro.

Lipid storage myopathy associated with scoliosis and multiple joint contractures

Two patients with cleft palate, clubfoot, congenital scoliosis, and arthrogryposis multiplex congenita showed increased numbers of lipid droplets in biopsied muscle fibers. There was little abnormality in the mitochondrial morphology of the muscle and the results of blood chemistry including carnitine concentrations. Accumulation of large lipid droplets, increased amount of glycogen and a decreased number of mitochondria were observed in chondrocytes from the biopsied iliac crest cartilage of these patients. It was suggested that the present cases might belong to a previously unknown clinico-pathological entity of myopathies.

Fine structural criteria for pituitary thyrotrophs in immature and mature rats

Fine structural criteria for identifying thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) cells in immature and mature rats have been studied by a modified superimposition technique. On days 10 and 20, some small oval immature TSH cells are scattered individually throughout the glandular tissue with a peripheral immunoreactive rim resulting from the sparse distribution of minute secretory granules less than 50 nm in diameter. The immunostained stellate TSH cells are clustered and have secretory granules 50-100 nm in diameter at the cell margins. On day 60, a few small immature TSH cells still remain. Although a few polygonal TSH cells that may not fully mature accumulate secretory granules 100-150 nm in diameter at the cell margins, the majority of TSH cells take the form of large stellate cells filled with secretory granules with the corresponding diameter, and surround an acidophil. These stellate TSH cells are characterized by dense arrangement of parallel arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) or rER cisternae. The clustered or isolated elongate TSH cells are also observed to be vesiculated and to have numerous secretory granules 150-250 nm in diameter. In addition, large oval vesiculated TSH cells storing numerous secretory granules 150-250 nm in diameter appear sporadically in the gland, ultrastructurally resembling the gonadotrophs. It is concluded that the rat TSH cell is not a single type with a particular ultrastructure, but modifies its morphology according to its maturation or functional phase.

Familial arthrogryposis with distal involvement of the limbs

Five cases of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita in two families characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, intrafamilial variability and primary involvement of the distal part of the limbs were analyzed to suggest that this condition is comparable to previously reported cases classified as distal arthrogryposis or digitotalar dysmorphism. These patients may represent a specific clinical entity. Heritable disorders should be distinguished from other forms of arthrogryposis for purposes of genetic counseling as well as therapeutic management.

Effects of electric current on chondrogenesis in vitro

The effect of direct electric current (5 muamp) on mesenchymal cell differentiation into cartilage was investigated in explants of fetal rat muscle and bone matrix gelatin. In this system, chondrogenesis in vitro corresponds in developmental potential to osteogenesis in vivo. Application of electric current inhibited differentiation of muscle derived mesenchymal cells, but enhanced proliferation of differentiated chondrocytes and formation of cartilage at the cathode region, and had no effect on mature hypertrophic chondrocytes. Application of electric current may be contraindicated in fracture at the very early stage of fracture treatment and effective at the cathode region only for preexisting and proliferating cells. Electric current also may not be effective for mature cells having no potential for proliferation.

Fine structural criteria of prolactin cells identified immunohistochemically in the male rat

Immunoreactive prolactin (PRL) cells in the adult male rat pituitary were observed by light microscopy to be scattered throughout the gland without special localization but sometimes to form small clusters consisting of five to ten cells. The cells had oval, polygonal, and cuplike shapes. Using the "superimposition technique," the fine structural properties of the PRL cells were examined on ultrathin sections just adjacent to the thick plastic section for immunostaining. Four cell types were distinguished: (1) oval, polygonal, and elongate cells with only small spherical granules, 130-200 nm in diameter; (2) oval or polygonal cells with both medium-sized spherical granules (250-300 nm) and about same size of polymorphic granules; (3) polygonal cells containing only large polymorphic granules (300-700 nm in maximal diameter); (4) cup-shaped PRL cells with spherical and small polymorphic granules. Furthermore, the prolactin immunoreactivity of these cell types was confirmed by the electron immunohistochemistry. Type 1 cells resemble, in fine structure, Kurosumi-Oota LH-gonadotrophs, but the former are not stained with anti-rat LH beta serum, but with anit-rat PRL serum. Although the functional relationship between these four types of cells is still unclear, it is concluded that the polymorphic shape of the granules is not necessarily an absolute criterion for identification of the PRL cell in the male.

Fine structural criteria for identifying rat corticotrophs

The fine structural characteristics of normal rat corticotrophs stained with anti-porcine ACTH1-39 serum were studied. At the ultrastructure level immunoreactive corticotrophs appear to comprise four distinct cell types: (1) large stellate cells (Siperstein cells) containing granules (170-250 nm in diameter) arranged in a peripheral row and usually embracing an acidophil; (2) elongate spindle-shaped cells (Moriarty cells) in which the secretory granules (170-250 nm in diameter) are distributed in a row or in small clusters in the peripheral cytoplasm: (3) oval or polygonal cells filled only with small secretory granules (130-170 nm in diameter), resembling the "acidophil of small granules type" (Yoshimura et al. 1974); and (4) polygonal or stellate cells filled with secretory granules of varying diameters (180-300 nm in diameter) and occasionally embracing an acidophil. The first type is the most common, but the others are infrequent. It is concluded that the criteria of Siperstein and Miller (1970) do not necessarily include all categories of rat corticotrophs.

A whole range of fine structural criteria for immunohistochemically identified LH cells in rats

Pituitaries from normal, young and adult male rats were fixed either in sublimate-formalin or in glutaraldehyde-osmium. In adjacent Paraplast sections, almost all the gonadotrophs were immunostained with both LH and FSH antisera. The rat LH beta and FSH antisera used were shown to be highly specific by the absorption test and by double antibody radioimmunoassay. Thin and thick adjacent Epon sections were prepared for EM and immunohistochemical examination. Cells stained with the rat LH beta antiserum were identified by LM, and the observed in detail by EM. On the basis of these observations we suggest that the LH cells are arranged in a sequence of basophils, i.e., Types II/III, III, III/IV and IV: Type II/III basophils are elongate with a cytoplasmic process and less vesiculated. They have morphological features of Type II (classical thyrotrophs) and also of Type III basophils. Type III basophils are oval in shape and moderately vesiculated. Both Types II/III and III basophils can be divided into two classes of cell characterized mainly by the existence of only small secretory granules (150-220 nm in diameter) (Type A) or by the coexistence of small and large (350-500 nm) (Type B). Type III/IV basophils are cells intermediate between types III and IV basophils, and moderately vesiculated with an abundance of secretory granules (150-300 nm in diameter). Type IV basophils are large, spherical or oval cells whose RER cisternae are conspicuously dilated; they contain less numerous secretory granules (150-300 nm in diameter). It is concluded that LH cells are not a single cell type, but include a wide range of subtypes.

Cartilage of I-cell disease

Biochemical analysis and morphologic observation of the iliac crest cartilage from 8-year-old girl with I-cell disease were performed. Instead of hypertrophic change of chondrocytes in the zone of cartilage-bone junction, there were small atrophic cells having many inclusion bodies accumulated with lamellar materials. Another characteristic finding in this zone was numerous cellular debris in the cartilage matrix. Significantly, a large amount of unsulfated chondroitin (21%) occurred in the cartilage with I-cell disease, and compensatory decrease of chondroitin 4-sulfate (14%) was observed. The percentage of chondroitin and chondroitin 4-sulfate on the control averaged 8.5 and 43%, respectively. The sedimentation profile of the proteoglycans closely resembled that of the normal cartilage.

Immunohistochemical study of the postnatal development of pituitary thyrotrophs in the rat, with special reference to cluster formation

The postnatal development of rat pituitary thyrotrophs was investigated immunohistochemically on days 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 25. Fetal thyrotrophs are strongly immunoreactive. In the postnatal period, however, weakly immunoreactive thyrotrophs increase in number to constitute clusters on days 3--5. The numbers and dimensions of the clusters reach a maximum on day 10. Thereafter the clusters break down to give rise to single, scattered neogenic thyrotrophs. Thyrotrophs in clusters on day 10 were investigated by electron microscopy in adjacent sections. They can be characterized as an immature type of basophil, according to the classification of Yoshimura et al. (1977): 1) Type I basophils, which are irregularly shaped with elongate processes, and characterized by rows of secretory granules about 100 nm in diameter. 2) Type I/II basophils, i.e., forms intermediate between Types I and II, containing less numerous secretory granules about 100--150 nm in diameter. Type II basophils which correspond to the classical thyrotrophs are not fully developed on day 10. Thus, most thyrotrophs develop from the clusters in the neonatal period. Such neogenic thyrotrophs retain the immature characteristics of Type I and I/II cells and may develop into Type II cells during subsequent maturation.

Familial tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome Type II

Two cases, a father and daughter, with all the principal signs of tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome Type II are described, although nine previously reported cases were all sporadic. It is suggested that these patients have a genetic disorder with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. It may be reasonable to assume that a patient with relatively mild mental retardation, such as the father in the present report, could marry and have off-spring. Generalized aminoaciduria was found in the affected daughter.

Abnormal overgrowth of chick embryos treated with p-nitrophenyl beta-D-xyloside at early stages of development

The effect of p-nitrophenyl beta-D-xyloside, an inhibitor of proteoglycan biosynthesis, on the growth of chick embryos was studied by injection of the single dose of 1.0 mg/egg into fertile eggs on day 3. Embryos examined on day 10 had systemic edema, and were increased not only in wet weight (142% of the non-treated embryos) but also in dry weight (125%). No skeletal malformations were observed in the treated embryos. The glycosaminoglycan content in the treated embryos began to increase 6 h after treatment and reached the maximum level (174% of the non-treated) after 3 days, while the DNA and protein content began to increase 12 h after treatment and reached the maximum level (about 140%) within 3 days, p-Nitrophenyl alpha-D-xyloside, p-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactoside, and a mixture of p-nitrophenol and D-xylose produced neither the abnormal overgrowth nor the edematous change of chick embryos. When fertile eggs were treated with 1.0 mg/egg of p-nitrophenyl beta-D-xyloside on day 6, the increase in wet and dry weights was also observed in all surviving embryos. On the contrary, treatment on day 9 resulted in the slight reduction of embryonic growth in addition to the systemic edema. Both embryos treated on day 3 and on day 6 contained glycosaminoglycans rich in chondroitin 6-sulfate, whereas the embryos treated on day 9 contained glycosaminoglycans rich in undersulfated chondroitin sulfates. These findings seem to support the view that glycosaminoglycans play an important role in the regulation of embryonic growth.

Prolactin immunoreactivity of acidophils of the small granule type

The fine structure of some oval anterior pituitary cells of the adult male rats immunostained with an antiserum to rat prolactin was investigated electron microscopically on the adjacent thin sections. Their fine structural appearance is identical with that of acidophils of the small granule type (Yoshimura et al. 1974) resembling the Kurosumi-Oota LH gonadotrophs. The secretory granules of the oval cells are spherical in shape, ranging from 130 to 200 nm in diameter. Large polymorphic granules, which are generally believed to be characteristic of prolactin cells, are absent from their cytoplasm. It is concluded that the acidophil of the small granule type with a similar fine structure to the Kurosumi-Oota LH gonadotroph is a prolactin secreting cell.

Experimental study on pathogenesis of polydactyly of the thumb

The pathogenesis of polydactyly of the thumb was investigated by administration of single dose of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C, 100 mg/kg) to pregnant SD rats on day 11. Marked growth discrepancy between ectoderm and mesoderm of the limb bud was observed both morphologically and biochemically 24 hours after treatment. The growth discrepancy was induced by interference with proliferation process of mesodermal cells. The different susceptibility of ectodermal cells and mesodermal cells to the teratogenic agent was found to depend on the stage difference of cellular differentiation of each tissue. Cephalocaudal asymmetry of the limb bud, as well as relative overgrowth of ectodermal tissue, was postulated to be the cause of protrusion of the preaxial border of the limb bud, which was an initial sign of extra first digit formation.

Reaction of hemoglobin with nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide in mice

The reaction of hemoglobin with NO and NO2 was compared in mice exposed to these cases. Nitrosyl hemoglobin (NOHb) and methemoglobin (MetHb) were determined simultaneously by electron spin resonance spectrometry at -140 degrees C. In mice exposed to 40 ppm NO, NOHb became constant (0.7%) in 30 min and declined rapidly with a half-life of several minutes when the mice were removed to room air. An increase of MetHb (5%) was also caused by exposure to NO and the time course was almost the same as that of NOHb. Exposure to 40 ppm NO2 produced only NOHb (0.2%); MetHb did not increase. The time course of NOHb was identical to that observed with NO exposure. Dose-effect relationships were determined with both gases at concentrations ranging from 20 to 80 ppm. A linear relationship could be observed between the concentrations of the gases and NOHb, but NO produced more NOHb than did NO2. There was an exponential increase of MetHb, particularly at high concentrations of NO.