Characterization of the pituitary gonadotroph cells of hypogonadal (hpg) male mice: comparison with normal mice

Abstract

Hypogonadal (hpg) mice lack hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH). Gonadotrophs from male hpg mice have been identified by immunocytochemistry for LH and quantitative electron microscopy allied with radioimmunoassay of the gonadotrophins. In comparison with those of normal mice, gonadotrophs in male hpg animals are less numerous and smaller, with less cytoplasm and rough endoplasmic reticulum and a smaller Golgi apparatus. They have fewer granules, especially those of larger (> 210 nm) diameter. Thus, in the absence of LH-RH, gonadotrophs can differentiate but remain relatively inactive.