Electron cytochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase in the globular basophils of the amphibian pituitary

Abstract

SYNOPSIS Acid phosphatase activity in the pituitary gland of Triturus cristatus carnex was studied at the electron‐microscope level. In the mucoid (basophil) cells of the pars distalis the reaction product was confined to the large globules. The smaller granules of the same cells never contained electron‐dense material. Another cell type containing electron‐dense reaction product in its granules was found in the pars intermedia. The possible role of hydrolytic enzymes in the activation of hormone precursors is discussed. It is concluded that the two distinct cellular inclusions of the globular basophil are functionally distinct.