Summary
The appearance and localization of LHRH were studied in the developing hypothalamus of perinatal rats using the unlabelled antibody method. By light microscopy, immunoreactive LHRH was first detected as brown dots on day 18.5 of gestation in the OVLT and on day 19.5 in the median eminence, respectively. When the median eminence was examined by the preembedding immunohistochemistry technique for electron microscopy, the occurrence of immunoreactive LHRH fibers could be demonstrated on day 18.5. These fibers were thin and very occasionally encountered near the surface of the lateral regions of the median eminence. The axoplasm contained a few immunopositive secretory granules and also extragranular immunoreactive products. With development, a gradual increase was noted both in number and size of nerve fibers with a concomitant accumulation of secretory granules within the axoplasm.
A possible physiological significance of LHRH is discussed in relation to the onset of hypothalamo-hypophysial system in fetal life.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ajika K (1979) Simultaneous localization of LHRH and catecholamines in rat hypothalamus. J Anat 128:331–347
Daikoku S (1966) A method of deencephalon in the fetal rat. Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn 42:39–49
Daikoku S, Kawano H, Matsumura H, Saito S (1978) In vivo and in vitro studies on the appearance of LHRH neurons in the hypothalamus of perinatal rats. Cell Tissue Res 194:433–445
Daikoku S, Kawano H, Abe K (1980) Studies on the occurrence of hypothalamic regulation of the hypophysial gonadotropic activity in rats. Arch Anat Microsc Morphol Exp (in press)
Glydon RStJ (1957) The development of the blood supply of the pituitary in the albino rat, with special reference to the portal vessels. J Anat 19:237–246
Goldsmith PC, Ganong WF (1975) Ultrastructural localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in the median eminence of the rat. Brain Res 97:181–193
Gross DC, Baker BL (1977) Immunohistochemical localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the fetal and early postnatal mouse brain. Am J Anat 148:195–216
Gross DC, Baker BL (1979) Developmental correlation between hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone and hypophysial luteinizing hormone. Am J Anat 154:1–10
Jost A, Dupouy JP, Monchamp A (1966) Fonction corticotrope de l'hypophyse et hypothalamus chez le foetus de rat. C R Acad Sci (D) (Paris) 262:147–150
Kozlowski GP, Hostetter G (1978) Cellular and subcellular localization and behavioral effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) in the rats. In: Scott DE, Kozlowski GP, Weindl A (eds) Brain-endocrine interraction III. Neural hormones and reproduction, Karger, Basel, pp 138–153
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
Mollenhauer HH (1964) Plastic embedding mixtures for use in electron microscopy. Stain Technol 39:111–114
Nakane PK (1971) Application of peroxidase-labelled antibodies to the intracellular localization of hormones. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) Suppl 153:190–204
Nozaki M, Taketani Y, Minaguchi H, Kigawa T, Kobayashi H (1979) Distribution of LHRH in the rat and mouse brain with special reference to the tanycytes. Cell Tissue Res 197:195–212
Pelletier G, Labrie F, Puviani R, Schally AV (1974) Immunohistochemical localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in rat median eminence. Endocrinology 95:314–317
Schafer SJ, McShan WH (1974) Gonadotropic hormone release from fetal and adult rat pituitary glands after in vitro exposure to synthetic LH-FSH-RH. Neuroendocrinology 16:332–341
Sétáló G, Vigh S, Schally AV, Arimura A, Flerkó B (1976) Immunohistological study of the origin of LH-RH-containing nerve fibers of the rat hypothalamus. Brain Res 103:597–602
Sternberger LA, Hardy PH Jr, Cuculis JJ, Meyer HG (1970) The unlabeled antibody enzyme method of immunohistochemistry. Preparation and properties of soluble antigen-antibody complex (horseradish peroxidase-antihorseradish peroxidase) and its use in identification of spirochetes. J Histochem Cytochem 18:315–333
Tougard C, Picart R, Tixier-Vidal A (1977) Cytogenesis of immunoreactive gonadotropic cells in the fetal rat pituitary at light and electron microscope levels. Dev Biol 58:148–163
Watanabe K (1980) Regional differences in the development of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone nerve endings in the rat. Endocrinology 106:139–144
Watanabe YG, Daikoku S (1979) An immunohistochemical study on the cytogenesis of adenohypophysial cells in fetal rats. Dev Biol 68:557–567
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kawano, H., Watanabe, Y.G. & Daikoku, S. Light and electron microscopic observation on the appearance of immunoreactive LHRH in perinatal rat hypothalamus. Cell Tissue Res. 213, 465–474 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00237891
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00237891