Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: FSH and LH are glycoprotein hormones and are synthesized in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and plays critical roles for maintenance of vital functions. FSH and LH are secreted to pituitary capillary vessel and exert their effects on reproductive organs of both sexes to stimulate steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. Secretion of FSH and LH is controlled mainly by GnRH released from hypothalamus. Many investigations on secretion of FSH and LH were performed...

Introduction: The pituitary anterior lobe consists of five types of hormone-producing cells and non-hormonal cells. In non-hormonal cells, Sox2-expressing cells exist as stem/progenitor cells and play a role in the regeneration of hormonal cells. However, elucidation of the differentiation mechanism is yet uncovered. Established cell lines are frequently used as a model system not only for cellular physiology and gene expression but also for cell differentiation. In t...

Introduction: Paired-related transcription factors, PRRX1 and PRRX2, which are expressed in mesenchymal tissues and participate in mesenchymal cell differentiation, were recently found in stem/progenitor cells of the pituitary gland of ectodermal origin. The present study aimed to clarify the role of PRRX1 and PRRX2 in the pituitary gland by identifying factors that regulate the expression of both genes.Materials and methods: Immunohistochemistry, promot...