Summary
At the light microscopic level, following immunostaining with a single antiserum against luliberin (LRF), two types of hormone-producing perikarya in the preoptic area are demonstrated. The two cell types differ in their morphological features: a bipolar, smooth-contoured cell type can be differentiated from an irregularly contoured unipolar type. Intermediate forms between both cell types occurring in the same area are not observed. Electron microscopically, both cell types contain labeled granules of similar size and immunoreactivity. It is dicussed whether the uneven surface of the one cell type is due to areas of synaptic contacts, and whether both cell types are integrated in different neuronal and functional circuits. Moreover, at the ultrastructural level, from the irregularly contoured LRF-producing perikarya a further positively stained cell type, probably a glial cell, can be differentiated. The specific labeling of the latter is caused by its content of immunoreactive lysosomal bodies. Differentiation between the labeled glial cells and the irregularly contoured LRF-producing perikarya is not possible at the light microscopic level.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker BL, Dermody WC, Reel JR (1975) Distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the rat brain as observed with immunocytochemistry. Endocrinology 97:125–135
Barry J (1979) Immunohistochemistry of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-producing neurons of the vertebrates. Int Rev Cytol 60:179–221
Barry J, Dubois MP (1974) Study of the preoptico-infundibular LHRH neurosecretory pathway in female guinea-pigs during gestation and the oestrous cycle. In: Sir Knowles F, Vollrath L (eds) IV. International Symposion on Neurosecretion. Neurosecretion — The Final Neuroendocrine Pathway. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 148–153
Barry J, Dubois MP, Poulin P (1973) LRF producing cells of the mammalian hypothalamus. A fluorescent antibody study. Z Zellforsch 146:351–366
Clayton CJ, Hofman GE (1979) Immunocytochemical evidence for anti-LHRH and anti-ACTH activity in the “F” antiserum. Am J Anat 155:139–145
Hofman GE, Knigge KM, Moynihan JA, Melnyk V, Arimura A (1978) Neuronal fields containing luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) in mouse brain. Neuroscience 3:219–231
King JC, Parsons JA, Erlandsen SL, Williams TH (1974) Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) pathway of the rat hypothalamus revealed by the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Cell Tissue Res 153:214–217
Kordon C, Kerdelhue B, Pattou E, Justisz M (1974) Immunocytochemical localization of LHRH in axons and nerve terminals of the rat median eminence. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 147:122–127
Krisch B (1978) The distribution of LHRH in the hypothalamus of the thirsting rat. A light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study. Cell Tissue Res 186:135–148
Krisch B (1980) Immunocytochemistry of neuroendocrine systems (vasopressin, somatostatin, luliberin). Prog Histochem Cytochem Vol 13/2, pp 1–166
Krisch B, Leonhardt H (1980) Neurohormones in the intercellular clefts and in glia cells of the rat brain. Cell Tissue Res 211:251–268
Sétáló G, Vigh S, Schally AV, Arimura A, Flerkó B (1975) LHRH-containing neural elements in the rat hypothalamus. Endocrinology 96:135–142
Silverman AJ (1976) Distribution of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in the guinea pig brain. Endocrinology 99:30–41
Sternberger LA (1974) Immunocytochemistry. Foundation of immunology series, Osler A, Weis L (eds). Prentice Hall Inc, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Vandesande F, Dierickx K (1975) Identification of the vasopressin producing and of the oxytocin producing neurons in the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 164:153–162
Wise PM, Rance N, Barr GD, Barraclough CA (1979) Further evidence that luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone also is follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone. Endocrinology 104:940–947
Zimmerman EA, Hsu KC, Ferin M, Kozlowski GP (1974) Localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) in the hypothalamus of the mouse by immunoperoxidase technique. Endocrinology 95:1–8
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grant Nr. Kr 569/3) and by the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Krisch, B. Two types of luliberin-immunoreactive perikarya in the preoptic area of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 212, 443–455 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236509
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236509