Histological studies on the pituitary gland of sheep (Ovis aries)

Abstract

Present study was carried out in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Veterinary college of Research Institute, Namakkal, TANUVAS. Pituitary glands were collected from (n = 18) sheep which were divide into three groups. Group I (birth to three months) Group II (seven to nine months) Group III (two years and above). Pars distalis of pituitary glands of all the samples collected consisted of acidophils, basophils and chromophobes. Acidophils were numerous and larger in size compared to basophils and chromophobes. Acidophils were pyramidal in shape with abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and large round nucleus located towards the base. These were grouped together to form tight clumps. Basophils were polymorphic in shape. In group I, acidophils were grouped together to form tight clumps and basophils were found distributed between the clumps of acidophils. Pars intermedia comprised of basophilic cells. Pars nervosa had pituicytes and nerve fibres. In group II, acidophils and two types of basophils, namely the beta and delta basophils were distinguished. In group III, number of acidophils and beta basophils was high compared to delta basophils.