The pituitary is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. It is responsible for controlling and coordinating: 1) growth and development, 2) the function of various body organs, and 3) the function of other glandular organs. The study of pituitary gland development provides a remarkable example of cell specification. There are six major cell types of the anterior (endocrine) pituitary, and eight hormones: growth hormone, prolactin, thyrotrophin stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, leutinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, melanocyte stimulating hormone, and endorphin are produced by different pituitary cells, which are located in specific regions of the pituitary gland. Many pituitary cell types have been shown to express natriuretic peptide receptors and to respond to natriuretic peptides to stimulate cGMP accumulation [1].

RPC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from neonatal day 8 CD® IGS rats. RPC are cryopreserved after purification and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. RPC are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. RPC are guaranteed to further culture in the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories; however, RPC are not recommended for expanding or long-term cultures due to limited expansion capacity.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Epithelial Cell Medium (EpiCM, Cat. #4101) for the culturing of RPC in vitro.