Animal Histology- Endocrine System:

Overview:

Hormone: A substance, usually a peptide or steroid, produced by one tissue and
conveyed by the bloodstream to another to effect physiological activity, such as growth
or metabolism. A chemical produced in one part of the body and released into the blood
to trigger or regulate particular functions of the body.

Endocrine glands: Glands that produce and secrete hormones into the blood or lymph
systems, including the thyroid, parathyroid, hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary, adrenal,
islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, and the gonads (testes and ovaries). The effects of
these hormones may affect one organ or tissue, or the entire body.

Exocrine Glands: Glands which secrete substances through ducts to surrounding
surfaces. Includes sweat, salivary and tear glands, as well as the mucous glands in the
digestive, respiratory, and genitourinary systems. These glands are greatly affected in CF.
Their ducts may be obstructed by mucus.




























I. Pituitary Gland:
Location: base of brain

Composed of 4 parts:

1. Pars Nervosa (Posterior Pituitary)
2. Pars Tuberalis
3. Pars Intermedia
4. Pars Distalis (Anterior Pituitary)























1. Pars Nervosa (Posterior Pituitary or Neurohypophysis)
contains axonal projections of HH tract (hypothalamohypophyseal tract)

Secretes:

Hormone Target Main Effects
Oxytocin Uterus/Mammary Glands Uterine contractions;
lactation
Antiduretic Hormone
(ADH) or Vasopressin
Kidneys or Arterioles Stimulates water retention;
raises blood pressure by
contracting arterioles

3 Features to Know:

axons have product accumulating around end bulb = palisades zone
herring bodies = accumulation of secretory products in axon terminal bulbs
supporting cell type = pituicyte















Red = Pituicyte ; Blue = Herring Body













2. Pars Tuberalis (refer to above overall picture of pituitary gland)
entrance of the hypophysioportal blood system into the anterior pituitary
(wraps the pituitary stalk in a highly vascularized sheath)
projects off the pars distalis
composed of cuboidal cells, and blood vessels


3. Pars Intermedia
boundary between the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary
composed of pale staining cells, arranged in follicles, or as a few rows of
basophilic cells and associated capillaries

Secretes:

Hormone Main Effects
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) Controls degree of pigmentation of
melanocytes





Blue = Pars Nervosa
(Posterior Pituitary); Yellow
= Pars Intermedia;
Red = Pars Distalis (Anterior
Pituitary)














4. Pars Distalis (Anterior Pituitary or Adenohypophysis)
irregular cords of cells, between capillaries.
a. chromophils = actively secreting (stain)
(2 types) basophils and acidophils

b. chromophobes = not actively secreting (do not stain)
Secrets:

Hormone Secretory Cell Type Target Main Effects
ACTH/Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (Corticotropin)
Corticotrophs (Basophils)
Adrenal Gland Secretion of Glucocorticoids
Endorphins ______ Opioid receptors Inhibit pain perception
FSH/ Follicle Stimulating
Hormone
Gonadotrophs (Basophils)
Ovaries/ Testes
Reproduction System
Growth
Human Growth Hormone
(Somatrotropin)
Somatotrophs (Acidophils)
Liver, Adipose Tissues
Promotes Growth: lipid and
carbohydrate metabolism
LH/ Lutenizing Hormone Gonadotrophs (Basophils) Ovaries/ Testes Sex Hormone Production
PRL/Prolactin
Lactotrophs or
Mammotrophs (Acidophils) Ovaries/Mammary Glands
Secretion of
Estrogens/Progesterone;
Milk Production
TSH/ Thyroid Stimulating
Hormone
Thyotrophs (Basophils)
Thyroid Gland
Secretion of Thyroid
Hormone











































Blue = Acidophils (Chromophils) ;
Yellow = Chromophobes ; Red = Basophils Chromophils)

















II. Thyroid:
Location: butterfly shaped organ, on anterior side of neck around larynx and
trachea.

Composed of:
1. Follicles:

-surround central mass of stored precursor = the colloid or
thyroglobulin

2. Follicular cells:

-arranged as a simple cuboidal epithelium with a basement membrane
- granules in cells = intracellular colloid
- produce thyroxine
3. Parafollicular or C cells (on outside of the follicle):
- produce calcitonin
Secretes:
Hormone Cell Source Main Effects
Thyroid Hormone Follicular Cells Stimulates metabolic
activity
Calcitonin Parafollicular Cells Decreases Blood Calcium
Levels











Red = Parafollicular Cells; Blue = Follicular Cells





Red arrows= Follicular Cells; Blue arrows = Colloid (thyroglobulin);
Yellow arrow = Parafollicular (C cells)


III. Parathyroid: (may see fat in gland)
Location: 4 small glands (2 pairs) sitting in the neck behind the thyroid gland
cells are arranged in irregular cords, supported by reticular fibers,
surrounded by capillaries
2 types of cells in the parathyroid:
1. Chief Cells: major cell type; small cells with spherical nuclei, and pale
staining, granular cytoplasm. (less cytoplasm around nuclei)
2. Oxyphil Cells: found in clumps, at periphery of gland; much larger than
chief cells. (lots of cytoplasm around nuclei)
Secretes:
Hormone Main Effects
Parathyroid Hormone Increases blood calcium
levels











Blue= Oxyphil Cells; Red = Chief Cells





IV. Adrenal Gland: each surrounded by a CT capsule
Location: triangular shaped organs sitting on top of each kidney.
2 Main Parts:
1. Cortex:
3 Layers:
a. Zona glomerulosa: beneath the connective tissue capsule,
consists of irregular clusters of columnar cells
b. Zona fasciculata: the thickest layer, located under the zona
glomerulosa; consists of straight cords of cells perpendicular to the
surface, called spongiocytes = very high cholesterol content and
appear light staining
c. Zona reticularis: inner most layer, consists of thin cords of
cells with increased acidophilic staining
2. Medulla: central core gland, surrounded by cortex, chromaffin
cells(ovoid basophilic cells) arranged in clumps/irregular cords
around an extensive capillary system.
Secrets:
Hormone Source Main Effects
Glucocorticoids (type of
steroid hormone)
Adrenal Cortex Increases blood glucose
levels and decreases protein
synthesis
Mineralocorticoids (type
of steroid hormone)
Adrenal Cortex Increases water reabsoprtion
in the kidney
Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
& Norepinephrine
(Noradrenaline)
Adrenal Medulla Increases blood glucose
levels and heart rate




















Zona Fasciculata (Blue = parallel bundles of
spongiocytes; Red = Spongiocytes)







Zona Reticularis (Red = Reticular
Fibers)



V. Pineal Gland: (Look for accumulation of calcified material = BRAIN SAND)
Location: in brain (third eye)
connected to third ventricle of brain
covered by the Pia Mater
associated with capillary supply
2 Types of Cells:
1. Pinealicytes: (major cell type) found in clumps and highly branched
2. Neuroglial: (supporting cells) flattened nuclei
Secrets:
Hormone Main Effects
Melatonin Released in response to darkness :
regulates circadian rhythm





Blue = Pinealcytes ; Red = Brain Sand
VI. Pancreas: digestive organ possessing both endocrine and exocrine functions
Location: adjacent to stomach and duodenum of small intestine
Endocrine Functions:
Islets of Langerhans- found scattered between exocrine acini of the pancreas;
arranged in clumps between capillaries
2 Cell Types (responsible for identifying):
1. Alpha Cells: (secrete glucagon)
- darker nuclei and more eosinophilic cytoplasm
- periphery of Islet
- flatter/ smaller nuclei

2. Beta Cells: (secrete insulin)
- majority of cells in the Islet
- center of Islet
- rounder/larger nuclei
Secrets:
Hormone Source Main Effects
Glucagon Alpha cells Increases blood sugar
levels; induces
glycogenolysis (conversion
of glycogen to glucose); fat
and protein in to energy
metabolites
Insulin Beta Cells Decrease blood sugar levels;
storage of nutrients
absorbed from the intestine
into glycogen, protein, and
fat
Somatostatin * Delta Cells* Reduce rate of food
absorption from the
intestine. *
Pancreatic Peptide* Gamma Cells* Reduces appetite*
* = not responsible for knowing in lab
















Red = Beta Cells ; Blue = Alpha Cells ;
White = Acinar Cells (Exocrine)