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Immunocytochemical evidence for α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the hypothalamus of the frog Rana esculenta

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Summary

The distribution of immunoreactive α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) within the brain of the frog, Rana esculenta, has been studied on adjacent serial sections using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Immunoreactive cell bodies are found in the anterior part of the preoptic nucleus and in some ventral subependymal cerebrospinal fluid-contacting elements, and in the nucleus infundibularis ventralis. Numerous α-MSH-like immunoreactive fibers are present in the preoptic area, in the pars ventralis of the tuber cinereum, and in the outer layer of the median eminence. This staining pattern is completely eliminated after preabsorbing the antiserum with the corresponding antigen, but blocking tests with α-MSH-related peptides do not lead to any change in the immunoreaction. From these results it may be inferred that an α-MSH-like system is present in the hypothalamic neurosecretory area of R. esculenta, and is probably related to its hypophysiotropic functions.

The results are compared to the distribution of α-MSH within the hypothalamus of reptiles and mammals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Anatomia Comparata, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy

    Mauro Vallarino

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  1. Mauro Vallarino
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This work was supported by a grant from the M.P.I. (60%)

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Vallarino, M. Immunocytochemical evidence for α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the hypothalamus of the frog Rana esculenta . Cell Tissue Res. 248, 559–563 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216484

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