Identification of mammosomatotrophs in the turkey hen pituitary: increased abundance during hyperprolactinemia.

Increased proliferative activity and programmed cellular death in the turkey hen pituitary gland following interruption of incubation behavior.

Incubation behavior or broodiness in turkey hens is characterized by ovarian regression, hyperprolactinemia, and persistent nesting. Nest-deprivation of incubating turkey hens results in disruption of broodiness accompanied by a precipitous decline in plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations. The objective of the present study is to examine cellular changes in the pituitary gland associated with n...

Evidence that lactotrophs do not differentiate directly from somatotrophs during chick embryonic development.

It is generally accepted that, in mammals, lactotrophs differentiate from somatotrophs through an intermediate cell type, the mammosomatotroph. However, little information exists about mammosomatotrophs and their relationship with lactotroph development in non-mammalian vertebrates. We reported previously that corticosterone (CORT) can induce both somatotroph and lactotroph differentiation in c...

Sulpiride-Induced Hyperprolactinemia in Mature Female Rats: Evidence for Alterations in The Reproductive System, Pituitary and Ovarian Hormones

Changes in pituitary somatotroph and lactotroph distribution in laying and incubating turkey hens.

Turkey hens can rapidly shift from a laying condition to one characterized by ovarian regression, incubation behavior, and hyperprolactinemia. Although remarkable changes occur in hormonal profiles as turkey hens pass from a laying to an incubating state, studies have not been undertaken to examine histochemical alterations of functionally relevant pituicytes in the adenohypophysis. The objecti...

Auto-Immune Addison\'s Disease Associated with Hyperprolactinemia

SUMMARY Three cases ofauto-immune addison's disease are reported in association with hyperprolactilinemia. All of them had galactorrhea. In three cases complete resolution of hyperprolactitinemia occurred with corticosteroid replacement. We suggest that hyperprolactinemia was due to cortisol deficiency operating directly or indirectly at the level of the pituitary.