Luteinizing hormone (LH)-containing cells from ovine pituitaries obtained during gestation and at various times after parturition were examined to determine whether the ability to store and secrete LH in vitro was correlated with morphological changes. Pituitaries collected on days 50 and 140 of gestation and on days 2, 13, 22, and 35 after parturition were enzymatically dissociated and the resulting cells cultured in media containing estradiol (12 pg/ml), cortisol (12 ng/ml), or no steroid. After 4, 7, or 10 days of culture, cells were washed and basal LH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated release of LH, and cellular content of LH were determined. The content of LH (ng/10(6) cells) was lowest on day 140 of gestation (2.7 +/- 0.3) and day 2 postpartum (2.2 +/- 0.6) and then increased (P less than 0.05) on days 13 (36.6 +/- 8.3), 22 (59.9 +/- 14.4), and 35 (54.6 +/- 19.3) postpartum. The percentage of pituitary cells containing immunoreactive LH nearly doubled (P less than 0.05) between days 2 (5.6 +/- 0.2%) and 35 (10.6 +/- 1.1%) postpartum. Moreover, LH-containing cells were smaller, and the percent total cellular volume occupied by secretory granules was less on day 2 than on days 22 and 35 after parturition. Secretion of LH after 4, 7, or 10 days of culture reflected the cellular content of LH and was not influenced by the presence of steroids in the media. These data indicate that decreased synthesis of LH during gestation is associated with hypoplasia of the LH-secreting cells. These cells are reactivated during the postpartum period and their capacity to synthesize LH gradually returns to normal.