Demonstration by immunofluorescence of somatotropic cells and prolactin cells in the monkeys Erythrocebus patas, Cercopithecus aethiops and Papio hamadryas]

Using antibodies against human STH and ovine prolactine, it is possible to identify somatotropic and prolactin cells in the pituitary anterior lobe of three species of monkeys: Erythrocebus patas, Cercopithecus aethiops and Papio hamadryas. The somatotropic cells are numerous in both adult and infant male or female monkeys, especially in the lateral lobes of the pituitary gland. The prolactin cells can be distinguished in all pituitaries studied, regardless age or sex; indeed there are more numerous in adult females. The immunofluorescent technique reveals a more great number of cells of somatotropic and prolactin type than the classical tetrachrome technique.