I did forget to mention we do this with Rat pituitary as well.

  Someone asked me about trimming.  Once the skull is sufficiently decaled 
that it can be cut with a blade easily we trim away the excess skull, so 
that the only portion remaining is the xc containing the pituitary gland.

Hope this is helpful.

Tracy E. Bergeron, BS, HT, HTL (ASCP)
Histotechnologist
Charles River Laboratories
Wilmington, MA
978-658-6000 x 1229



tracy.bergeron@crl.com 
Sent by: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
01/24/2007 12:38 PM

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histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
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Subject
Re: [Histonet] mouse pituitary







        The best way to ensure you have pituitary present in your samples 
that come up from necropsy, is to have your necropsy folks open the skull 
up so formalin can get to the brain, but not remove the brain from the 
skull.  You have a greater chance of keeping the pituitary intact if the 
brain is removed after fixation. 

         Also for mouse pituitary we have found that because of it's size 
it can be very easily damaged if removed from the skull for processing. We 

generally remove the brain, then decalcify the skull with the pituitary in 

place (formic acid decal solution).  Then process, embedd, and cut the xc 
of skull containing the pituitary.  Since  switching to this method we 
rarely have issues with lost or damaged pituitary tissue.

Tracy E. Bergeron, BS, HT, HTL (ASCP)
Histotechnologist
Charles River Laboratories
Wilmington, MA
978-658-6000 x 1229



Atoska Gentry  
Sent by: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
01/24/2007 12:21 PM

To
Histonet 
cc

Subject
[Histonet] mouse pituitary







Leon, thanks my apologies my wording was a little off. I should have 
said it's location in relation to mouse brain. Guess I got caught up 
with the inability to find it *in* the _Atlas of the Mouse Brain and 
Spinal Cord_  that we have on hand. I'm aware perfectly aware of it's 
general location. It's just that sometimes it's present in the samples 
rec'd from necropsy and other's it's not. And our research though 
primarily small animal does not routinely involve mice or rats. Thanks 
for your assistance. Atoska
Leon Brokken wrote:

The pituitary in both mouse and rats is located _under_ the brain, not
_in_. It is rather easy to dissect however. If the skull is opened from
the top, one can carefully lift the brain out of the skull after
disconnecting the optical nerves. The pituitary will remain situated at
the bottom of the brain 'cavity' and can then carefully be taken out as
a whole.

If you need more detailed help on dissection I can provide these
(allthough it has been a while ago since I performed these dissections).

Cheers, Leon.

Atoska Gentry wrote:
 

> Hello, does anyone have info on an atlas/manual in which the pituitary
> of either mouse or rat brain is distinctively displayed? We have a
> research collaborator who is  specifically interested in studying
> mouse pituitary. But, we have not been able to find an atlas which
> shows it's exact location in mouse brain. And it is obviously not
> distinguishable upon gross exam. Your prompt replies will be much
> appreciated. Atoska :-)
>
> 
-- 
Atoska S. Gentry, B.S., HT(ASCP)
Research Assistant IV
Scott-Ritchey RSCH Center
College of Vet. Med
Auburn, AL 36849
PH (334) 844-5579
FAX (334) 844-5850
email: gentras@vetmed.auburn.edu

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