Ultrastructure of the eta cells in the pituitary gland of adult migratory sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

Abstract

In the rostral pars distalis of the adult migratory sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), most of the cells are arranged in follicles. The predominant cell type, the eta cell, contains secretory granules of 175–300 mμ in diameter; its endoplasmic reticulum shows a conspicuous lamellar organization. These cells undergo only slight changes as the fish migrate from the ocean to the spawning grounds. The findings are discussed in relation to the function of prolactin in euryhaline teleosts.