Abstract: The neonatal rats were injected subcutaneously with 10% monosodium glutamate(MSG). The development of rat pituitary gland and LH pituicyte were observed on the 52th day(puberty)and 100th day(adult). The results showed:The pituitary weights on 52th and 100th day were(3.26± 0.51)mg and(5.21±0.72)mg in MSG group respectively. They decreased significantly as compared with control group(P<0.01),(8.46±0.81)mg and(12.04±1.23)mg respectively. The mean area of LH pituicytes on 52th day and 100th day were 998.00±161.56 and 1 105.56± 219.83. They decreased remarkably as compared with control group(P<0.01), 1 662.30±141.46 and 1 892.11±212.29 respectively. However, LH content of individual LH pituicyte in MSG group had no significant differences as compared with that in control group(P>0.05). The serum concentrations of LH and FSH were significantly lower in MSG group than those of control group on both ages. A striking reduction in the number of neurons in the arcuate nucleus(ARC)were noted. Thus, MSG can depress the development and function of GTH pituicytes.

Key words: monosodium glutamate(MSG), GTH pituicyte, LH, FSH