Morphofunctional traits of gonadotropic endocrine cells of rat distal adenohypophysis at experimental immunosuppression

The interaction of immune and endocrine systems is a fundamental problem in biology and medicine. It was found out that various biologically active substances, including anterior-pituitary hormones, are able to modify the metabolic activity and function of the cells of the immune system. However, a change in activity of the immune system organs may influence the endocrine functions. Comprehension of morphological changes in adenohypophysis at immunosuppression is of both theoretical and clinical interest due to a significant cohort of patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs during oncotherapy while treating autoimmune diseases, as well as in transplantation. Objective. The objective of the study is to analyse the peculiarities of structural transformations of gonadotropic endocrine cells of distal adenohypophysis of rats (breeding age) at experimental immunosuppression induced by administration of cyclophosphamide. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on 60 albino male rats of breeding age weighing 150-170 g. Immunosuppressive state was simulated in animals by administration of a cytostatic drug cyclophosphamide (cyclophosphan). Morphometric parameters of gonadotropic endocrine cells were evaluated on microslides stained with haematoxylin and eosin, using Mallory method, as well as on ultra-thin sections. Results. One day after administration of cytostatic drug structural changes of endocrine cells indicated their functional activity increase (reduced nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, increased percent area of nucleoli and mitochondria, as well as secretory granules and granule activity index). At 7-, 15- and 30-day obvious destructive and dystrophic changes of nuclear and cytoplasmic structures of endocrine cells were observed. They were confirmed by the change in the studied morphometric parameters (increase in the area of nuclear and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, decrease in the area of nucleoli, mitochondria, and secretory granules). Compensatory, adaptive and reparative processes were noted 60 days after introduction of cyclophosphamide. Conclusion. Administration of cyclophosphamide to experimental rats of breeding age causes morphological transformations and quantitative changes of morphometric parameters of anterior pituitary gonadotropic endocrine cells, which undergo certain stages.