THE ANTERIOR LOBE OF THE CATTLE PITUITARY

Abstract

Some anatomical and histological features have been described of the pituitary glands of thirty mature cattle in various sexual conditions. The glands from five female calves and five foetuses have also been examined. A cone of Wulzen was macroscopically observed in twenty-two of the thirty mature glands and in two calf glands. Colloid was found to be a common constituent in the mature cattle pituitary and was seen in the cleft of thirteen glands, in blood vessels of fourteen and as anterior lobe cysts in twenty-four. Drops of intercellular colloid were present in all glands. There was some evidence that the colloid drops and the formation of anterior lobe cysts might be associated. As no colloid was seen in the calf or the foetal material, it seems likely that the various types of this substance are formed during the post-embryonic life of the animal.