Effect of thyroxine on the ultrastructure of the hypophyseal proximal pars distalis in Tilapia zillii

Abstract

The effects of exogenous L-thyroxine on the fine structure of the proximal pars distalis cells were examined in Tilapia zillii. In thyroxine-treated animals the thyrotrophic cells appeared marginally smaller and less active whereas the somatotrophs appeared markedly more active, with increased endoplasmic reticulum, larger mitochondria, and more granule release when compared with the same cell types in control animals. The gonadotrophs were similar in appearance in both thyroxine-treated and control groups.The possible interrelated activity of the somatotrophs and the TSH–thyroid axis is discussed.