Plurihormonality in the secretory granules of the normal human pituitary. An immunoelectron microscopic study

Abstract

Normal human autopsy anterior pituitary tissue from 5 cases was embedded in LR White resin and immunolabelled using silver-enhanced 5-nm protein A gold probes. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) were immunolocalised to the level of secretory granule. A two-sided double-labelling method was used to cross-react two hormones at a time with respect to their corresponding antibodies. All possible combinations of the six pituitary hormones were tested. Plurihormonal granules were found that contained LH + FSH, LH + TSH, and FSH + TSH. Each hormone was also found in monohormonal granules. Granule diameter was significantly larger in the pluri as opposed to monohormonal granules.