LOCALIZATION OF PROLACTIN IN RAT PITUITARY AND IN A TRANSPLANTABLE MAMMOTROPIC PITUITARY TUMOR USING FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY

Abstract

By means of fluorescent antiprolactin globulin and with appropriate controls, lactogenic hormone has been localized in granules and mitochondnia of acidophils of normal rat pituitary and in a transplantable rat pituitary tumor. Cells containing prolactin have been identified as acidophils by their reaction with orange C and by positive staining of their cytoplasmic granules with acid fuchsin in the Russell technique. Immunochemical data is presented reaffirming the heterogenous character of purified ovine prolactin. Evidence that this is associated with polymerization of prolactin is discussed.