Effect of the acute heat stress on the rat pituitary gland. Morphological and stereological study

Abstract

1.Morphological and stereological changes were examined in the pituitary gland of the rats exposed to heat stress (38 °C) for 60 min.2.Heat stress caused a decrease in anterior pituitary weight and volume but a significant increase in both posterior and intermediate lobe.3.In heat stressed rats the anterior and posterior pituitary showed dilation of small blood vessels with hyperemia, as well as thickened hypothalamic axons in the posterior lobe.