The application of in vitro cell culture and its hormone radioimmunoassay determination for the functional classification of pituitary adenomas

Tissues from 30 pituitary adenomas were incubated in vitro cell culture and the secretion of GH, PRL, TSH, LH and FSH by the cells into culture medium were detected by radioimmunoassay method. Results of the assay were used to establish the functional classification of pituitary adenomas. Tissues from 14 cases were also studied by immunohistochemistry. The results of the studies showed that functional adenoma cell culture RIA assay gives the same conclusion as immunohistochemistry did. But in nonfunctioning adenomas, cells from the most cases also secreted certain amount of hormones, indicating that these adenomas need further studies regarding their functional states