LAUSR

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Babu Rao Sake, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Santhiram Medical College, NH-18, Nandyal-518501, Andhra Pradesh, India. Phone: 9247172669 E-Mail: [email protected] Introduction: Pituitary gland is the master endocrine gland known for its cellular diversity. The different cells of pituitary will control different endocrine glands through their secretions. The differential cellular study of pituitary is important in understanding various diseases that result from hypo or hyper secretion. This study aims to observe various histological aspects of pituitary at different gestational ages. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 apparently normal dead aborted embryos and fetuses of both sexes of 12 to 40 weeks gestational age were utilised for the histological study. The pituitary glands were removed and subjected to routine Haematoxylin & Eosin procedure. The specimen were categorised and observed for histogenesis of pituitary at various gestational ages. Results and Conclusion: All the cell types of anterior lobe except lactotrophs are observed at 14 weeks of gestation. Incompletely formed portal vessels are also seen. At 19 weeks, acidophils predominate in lateral region whereas basophils predominated in middle region. At 24 weeks, the cells of anterior lobe are fully differentiated with the appearance of lactotrophs. Well developed portal vessels are observed. At term, acidophils are comparatively greater than basophils indicating probably lactotroph hyperplasia due to high maternal oestrogen levels.