The effects of hypophysectomy on the digestive glands of the mouse Supported in part by research grant AM 00131–14 from the United States Public Health Service.

Abstract

The objective was to observe the influence of hypophysectomy on the secretory cells of digestive glands in the mouse and to compare these findings with those reported for other mammalian species. Hypophysectomy of the mouse induced involutional changes in glandular cells concerned with secretion of proteins and mucins, and in those involved in ion transport or release. Gastric chief cells, pancreatic acinar cells, and serous cells of submandibular tubules were markedly involuted; acinar cells of the parotid gland were changed less significantly. Gastric mucous neck cells and mucous acinar cells of the submandibular and sublingual glands contained less secretory material. A colloidal iron-positive variety of mucous neck cell became dominant. These changes were less profound than those which occurred in most types of zymogenic cells. Parietal cells became atrophic and contained a greatly contracted intracellular canalicular system. Salivary ducts of the parotid and sublingual glands showed partial involution. It was concluded that, as in the rat and man, protein-secreting cells of the digestive tract of the mouse depend on the support of pituitary hormones. Those cells which secrete mucopolysaccharides or are involved in ion transport also require pituitary hormones for complete maintenance of their structure and function.