Abstract
Anterior pituitary cells produce growth factors plus cytokines and their receptors. Although some of these pituitary growth factors and cytokines are known to be involved in the control of cell differentiation, proliferation and hormone production in the pituitary gland, their physiological roles remain unknown. Lots of evidence indicates that they are involved in the regulation of prolactin-secreting mammotroph cell proliferation. The regulation of mammotroph functions is a suitable system for understanding the intrapituitary regulatory system operated by growth factors and cytokines, since mammotrophs are the most actively proliferating cells in female pituitary glands. This review discusses the possible intrapituitary regulation of mammotroph differentiation and proliferation in rat and mouse pituitaries.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 601-611 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Zoological science |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2004 |
Keywords
- Mammotroph
- Mouse
- Pituitary
- Proliferation
- Rat
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Animal Science and Zoology