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Innovative microscopic techniques, introduced during the last two decades, have contributed much to creating a new picture of the dynamic architecture of the cell, which can now be more exactly correlated with specific biochemical and physiopathological events. These developments have led to significant advances in our understanding ofthe physiomorphological and pathological aspects of the secretory mechanism, as well as the pharmacologic methods used to control, experimentally, the function of exocrine and endocrine glands. The integration of new ultrastructural methods such as freeze-fracturejetching, immunocytochemistry, scanning and high-voltage electron microscopy, cytoautoradiography, etc. , has proven to be of great value when applied to the study of endocrine cells and tissues. Because information on this topic has appeared in a variety of scientific and medical journals, this book: (1) reviews the results of an integrative approach presenting a comprehensive ultrastructural account of the main aspects of the field; (2) points out gaps or controversial topics in our knowledge; and (3) outlines pertinent directions for future research. The chapters, prepared by recognized authorities in the field, present traditional information on the topic in a concise manner and, with a valuable selection of original illustrations, show what the integration of new microscopic methods can contribute to the subject in terms of new concepts. This volume will be useful to cell biologists, anatomists, embryologists, histologists, pharmacologists, pathologists, and, of course, endocrinologists. It will also be of interest to students, practitioners of medicine, and to all others dealing with clinical research and diagnosis.
List of contents
1. Mechanism of secretion in endocrine glands.- 2. Fine structure of the pituitary pars distalis.- 3. Fine structure and development of the pars tuberalis in mammals.- 4. Ultrastructure of the pars intermedia: Development in vivo and in organ culture.- 5. Ultrastructure of Rathke's pituitary cleft.- 6. The problem of the folliculo-stellate cells in the pituitary gland.- 7. Ultrastructure of the human neurohypophysis.- 8. The fine structure of pituitary tumors.- 9. The ventricular system in neuroendocrine mechanisms.- 10. Gut paraneurons and Segi's cap.- 11. Cell types of endocrine pancreas by immunoelectron microscopy.- 12. Pancreatic polypeptide cells.- 13. Neuro-endocrine (APUD-type) cells of the lung.- 14. Recent advances in the ultrastructure of the carotid body.- 15. Ultrastructure features of the mammalian adrenal medulla.- 16. Extraadrenal chromaffin organs (abdominal paraganglia): Distribution, histology and fine structure.- 17. Fine structure of the adrenal cortex.- 18. Ultrastructural features of adrenocortical and hypophyseal cells in culture.- 19. Scanning Electron Microscopy of adrenal gland in mammals.- 20. Ultrastructure and stereological analysis of Leydig cells.- 21. Fine structure of the luteal tissue.- 22. Localization of gonadotropin receptors in the gonads.- 23. Fine structure of the thyroid follicle.- 24. Thyroid parafollicular cells: Ultrastructural and functional correlations.- 25. Ultrastructural pathology of the thyroid gland.- 26. Fine structure of normal human parathyroid gland as revealed by thin section and freeze-fracture with regard to some pathological conditions.- 27. Microvascularization of endocrine glands as studied by injection-replica SEM method.- 28. Innervation of endocrine tissues.
