Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry of gonadotrophs in the goldfish pituitary gland

Summary The immunocytochemical distribution of gonadotropin (GTH) in the goldfish pituitary gland was studied applying the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method and the protein A-gold technique at lightand electron-microscopic levels, respectively, with an antiserum raised against silver carp GTH. In the light-microscopic immunocytochemistry, PAS-positive cells in the proximal pars distalis showed strong reaction with the antiserum. Gold particles were concentrated both on globules (large) and on granules (small) of the gonadotrophs (PAS-positive cells) in the electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry. Other cells in the pituitary gland, including thyrotrophs, displayed no immunoreactivity with the antiserum at the dilutions tested. These results indicate, not only immunocytochemical distribution of GTH both in globules and in granules in the gonadotrophs, but also the high purity of the antigen (silver carp GTH) and specificity of the antiserum.     

Binding and internalization of native gonadoliberin (GnRH) by anterior pituitary gonadotrophs of the rat

Summary To identify anterior pituitary cell types containing GnRH binding sites and to study the internalization process of this peptide by target cells under physiological conditions, autoradiography was performed on rat anterior pituitaries removed at specific time intervals (2–60 min) after intravenous injection of mono-radioiodinated ¹²⁵I-GnRH into intact males. At electron-microscopic level, gonadotrophs and lactotrophs appeared to contain silver grains. Concomitant administration of an excess of unlabeled GnRH with the radioiodinated hormone prevented this localization indicating the specificity of the reaction. The time-course study in gonadotrophs showed that 2 min after injection silver grains could be found over the plasma membrane, secretory granules and nuclear membrane. Similar results were observed 5 and 15 min after injection. Extensive label was observed over the nucleus and nuclear membrane 15 to 60 min after injection. The injection of a radioiodinated GnRH agonist [D-Trp⁶, Pro⁹ (Net), DesGly¹⁰]-GnRH produced comparable results. In contrast, the injection of ¹²⁵I-[D-pGlu¹, D-Phe², Trp^3,6]-GnRH, an antagonist of GnRH, produced positive labeling only at the plasma membrane without internalization. These results indicate that, after binding with receptors on the plasma membrane, GnRH is rapidly internalized, accumulating in secretory granules, and localizing over the nuclear membrane and later, in the nucleus. Association of radioactivity with secretory granules could be related to a specific action of GnRH at this level or to receptor recycling, and presence of label in the nucleus may be related to stimulation of neosynthesis of LH and GnRH receptors.     

Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of LH and FSH in the pituitary of the untreated male rat

Summary Rapid freeze-substitution fixation was employed in immunocytochemical studies on the localization of LH and FSH in the typical gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary in the untreated male rat; a modification of a recently described ferritin antibody method (Inoue et al. 1982) was used in these studies. It was shown that rapid freeze-substitution fixation provides good preservation not only of the ultrastructure but also of the antigenicity. Both LH and FSH were clearly demonstrated in the same gonadotrophic cells, but the subcellular localization of these gonadotrophins differed: (i) LH was mainly located in small secretory granules, 250–300 nm in diameter; (ii) FSH was mainly present in large secretory granules, up to 500 nm in diameter. In the pituitary gland of the adult male rat, all gonadotrophs that react to antibodies against gonadotrophins are characterized by small and large secretory granules. Other types of cells of the anterior pituitary containing either small secretory granules or resembling corticotrophs with secretory granules assembled at cell periphery did not react to either anti-LH beta or anti-FSH beta serum.For light microscopy, the peroxidase antibody method was used. All of the gonadotrophin-positive cells contain both LH and FSH. None of the pituitary cells reacted to antibody against only one gonadotrophin. However, some cells are LH-rich while other cells are FSH-rich.     

Biosynthesis of LHRH: Inferences from immunocytochemical studies

Inferences regarding biosynthesis of LHRH in rats are made from immunocytochemical studies using LHRH antisera with varied and specific binding requirements. Immunoreactive perikarya were observed with antisera that could bind putative large molecular weight precursors of LHRH. No cells were detected with an antiserum that requires free decapeptide terminals and could not bind extended precursors. No such differential immunoreactivity was apparent in neuronal processes and neurovascular terminals. Features of intracellular processing of LHRH which can be inferred from these immunocytochemical data are: (1) the decapeptide is initially synthesized within neuronal cell bodies as a larger molecular weight peptide, extended at both the N- and C-terminals; (2) processing occurs as the newly synthesized material is transported along neuronal processes; and (3) intermediate molecular forms are converted to the active decapeptide primarily in distal portions of neuronal fibers, including the neurovascular terminal. Immunocytochemical observations in other mammalian species (humans, monkeys, ferrets and bats) allow us to further suggest that the dynamics of maturation of this hormone may differ among mammals.     

Light-microscopic immunocytochemical localization of fibronectin in the developing rat lung

Summary The development of the rat lung is a process of continuing morphological change. Indications from work in other mammalian systems suggest that fibronectin may be important in the control of this process. The present study has examined embryonic, neonatal, and adult lung tissue of the rat by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique to demonstrate fibronectin at the light-microscopic level. Positive reaction was observed with anti-fibronectin serum in all stages examined. Control sections treated with pre-immune serum or no primary serum gave negative results in each case. Fibronectin in adult tissue was localized to the alveolar surface and alveolar basal lamina. Neonatal tissue showed fibronectin on pulmonary tubule walls and in basal lamina while embryonic tissue revealed localization of the protein in the basal lamina and in association with small groups of cells at the base of septal buds. These findings suggest a role for fibronectin in the control of rat lung development. The results are discussed in terms of the known functions of fibronectin as a preliminary matrix for the subsequent deposition of collagenous connective tissue, as a cellular adhesion protein, and as surface-bound material for cellular migration.     

Transmitters of the raphe-spinal complex: immunocytochemical studies

The localization of serotonergic and various peptidergic neurons in the medullary raphe nuclei that project to the lumbosacral spinal cord have been studied using a retrograde transport method combined with immunocytochemistry. Spinally projecting neurons stained for serotonin-like, substance P-like, enkephalin-like and thyrotropin-releasing hormone-like immunoreactivity were all observed in the raphe nuclei of the medulla, as well as in the adjacent ventrolateral reticular formation. The distribution of the descending serotonergic and peptidergic neurons in the raphe nuclei as well as quantitative data on their relative numbers suggest that a large fraction of raphe-spinal neurons contain serotonin co-existing with one or more peptides in the same cell.     

Selectivity of juxtaposition between cup-shaped lactotrophs and gonadotrophs from rat anterior pituitary in culture

Summary Semi-thin sections of three-dimensional reaggregates from adult female rat pituitary, cultured in serum-free defined medium, were stained for prolactin, gonadotropin, thyrotropin, growth hormone and S-100, using the double immunolabelling technique. The frequency of juxtaposition between lactotrophs and gonadotrophs was enumerated and compared with the expected frequency at random distribution of polygonal cell profiles in a hexagonal configuration. The proportions of lactotrophs and gonadotrophs in the aggregate sections were determined using stereometrical analysis. The observed frequency of juxtaposition did not differ significantly from the expected frequency. Hence, no reason was found to assume a selective adhesion between lactotrophs and gonadotrophs in adult female rat pituitary reaggregates. A constant proportion of lactotrophs was found to meet the criteria of a cup-shaped morphology, and 70%±9% (mean ±S.D.) of these so-called cupshaped lactotrophs were found to be juxtaposed at their concave side to gonadotrophs. Administration of 0.01 nM 17-oestradiol to the culture medium resulted in a significant reduction of the proportion of cup-shaped lactotrophs but did not affect the selectivity of juxtaposition to gonadotrophs. The selectivity of juxtaposition between cup-shaped lactotrophs and gonadotrophs may be the morphological correlate of the functional relationship between these cells, which are known to be involved in an intra-pituitary paracrine communication system.     

The immunocytochemical localization of angiotensinogen in the rat ovary

Summary The present study examined the presence and cellular distribution of angiotensinogen, the precursor to the angiotensin peptides, in the ovary of the normal cycling rat by immunocytochemistry. Angiotensinogen staining was present in the granulosa cells of maturing follicles and to a lesser extent in those undergoing atresia. Staining was not seen in the granulosa cells of primordial or early primary follicles. In maturing follicles intense staining for angiotensinogen was confined to the antral cell layers, cells of the cumulus oophorus and in the follicular fluid. Strong immunostaining was also seen in the germinal epithelium covering the ovary. Lighter angiotensinogen staining was observed in some parts of the cortical and medullary stroma and occasionally in corpora lutea. No variation in the intensity or pattern of angiotensinogen staining was observed throughout the estrous cycle. Comparison of the distribution of angiotensinogen with the previously described localization of renin, AII, angiotensin converting enzyme and AII receptors, suggests that there are a number of intra-ovarian sites at which AII could be produced.     

Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of neurophysin and vasopressin in the median eminence and posterior pituitary of the guinea pig

Summary With the use of tissue prepared by freeze-substitution and the unlabelled antibody enzyme technique, neurophysin and vasopressin were localized at the ultrastructural level in the posterior pituitary and median eminence of the guinea pig. In the posterior pituitary neurophysin was found in the large neurosecretory granules (1300–1500 Å) of axons, Herring bodies, and nerve terminals. In some of these axons immunoreactive neurophysin was found outside of granules in the axoplasm. By light microscopy neurophysin was found in both the zona interna and zona externa of the median eminence; this was confirmed by electron microscopy. In the zona interna as in the posterior pituitary, neurophysin was localized both inside and outside the large neurosecretory granules. In the zona externa, immunoreactive deposit was primarily located in granules with a diameter of 900–1100 Å in nerve terminals abutting on the primary portal plexus. The distribution of vasopressin paralleled that of neurophysin except that the hormone was rarely extragranular. These results demonstrate for the first time that both neurophysin and vasopressin are present in granules of axons that are in contact with the hypophysial portal vasculature.The authors wish to thank Dr. Alan Robinson for the gifts of antiserum to bovine neurophysin I and for purified bovine neurophysin I; Dr. Ludwig Sternberger for the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase complex; and Dr. Robert Utiger for antiserum to lysine vasopressinSupported in part by U.S. Public Health Service grant RR-00167 to the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center from the National Institutes of Health. Primate Center publication No. 14-017.Recipient of NIH, NINDS Teacher-Investigator Award NS-1108.     

Antibody selection for immunocytochemical characterization of the male reproductive system in Psittaciformes

The success of breeding programs is limited by the sparse knowledge about endocrine regulation and biochemical reactions in the psittacine male tract. The immunocytochemical analysis of parrots' testicular tissues provides an insight into their reproductive system but is often hampered by the lack of reliable antibodies. In the present study, we tested a large panel of antibodies raised against steroid receptors, steroidogenic enzymes, relaxin peptides including their receptors, and proliferation markers on paraffin sections of testicular tissue from eight psittacine genera representing three continents. All investigated species displayed the tested markers in somatic and germ cells of testis and epididymis, even though cell distribution was partly heterogenous and in species-specific patterns. The 17β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase-2, 3β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase, and smooth muscle actin allowed the cross-species differentiation between active and nonactive gonads. The remaining steroidogenic enzymes, steroid receptors, relaxin peptides, and Ki67 proved to be suitable to define reproductive activity depending on the parrot species. Adapting immunocytochemical methods to different psittacines was successful, though various cellular expression patterns do not allow the transfer of results among different parrot species. However, the availability of a reliable repertory of sexual markers is important to examine reproductive biology of psittacine birds.     

Presence of angiotensin II in the adult male rat anterior pituitary gland: immunocytochemical study after cryoultramicrotomy

Angiotensin II (AII)-like immunoreactivity and binding sites have recently been demonstrated at the pituitary level. This peptide also exerts a stimulatory effect on anterior pituitary hormone release. Immunocytochemistry on ultrathin sections obtained by cryoultramicrotomy was used with the aim of localizing endogenous AII-like material at the cellular and subcellular levels of the anterior pituitary gland. AII-like immunostaining was observed only in gonadotrophs, lactotrophs, and corticotrophs. In gonadotrophs, AII-like immunoreactivity was restricted only to secretion granules. In the two other immunoreactive cells, lactotrophs and corticotrophs, immunostaining was observed in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. In the cytoplasm, AII-like material was visualized in the cytoplasmic matrix and in the secretory granules. In the nucleus, immunostaining was distributed in the euchromatin in the vicinity of the heterochromatin. AII-like immunoreactivity was also seen at the plasma membrane, but only scarcely. No reaction product was found when anti-AII serum preincubated with AII was used. These immunocytochemical results (1) provide evidence that gonadotrophs are only a site of synthesis and/or storage of AII-like material, (2) indicate that lactotrophs and corticotrophs are cells for AII and (3) provide cytological evidence for a direct participation of AII in the regulation of the lactotropic and corticotropic function.     

Quantitative immunocytochemical studies of endogenous albumin in rat aortic endothelial and mesothelial cells

Endogenous albumin was revealed over cellular structures of rat ascendent aorta endothelia and mesothelium, with high resolution and specificity, by applying the protein A-gold immunocytochemical approach. This approach allows albumin distribution to be studied under steady-state conditions. The cellular layers evaluated were the aortic endothelium, the capillary endothelium (vasa vasorum), and the mesothelium externally lining the aorta at this level. Gold particles, revealing albumin antigenic sites, were preferentially located over plasmalemmal vesicles and intercellular clefts of endothelial and mesothelial cells, though with different labeling intensities. The interstitial space was also labeled. Morphometrical evaluation of plasmalemmal vesicles demonstrated a higher surface density for these structures in capillary endothelial cells (12%) compared with those in aortic endothelial (5%) and mesothelial cells (2%). Quantitation of gold labeling intensities over these structures revealed a higher labeling over plasmalemmal vesicles of capillary endothelium than over those of aortic endothelium and mesothelium. This result, together with the higher surface density of plasmalemmal vesicles found in capillary endothelium, suggest an important role of these structures in the transendothelial passage of endogenous albumin, particularly for capillary endothelium. On the other hand, labeling densities over mesothelial clefts were found to be higher than those of capillary and aortic endothelia. Results from this study concur with the proposal of a differential passage of albumin according to the cell lining considered, and suggest to a role for mesothelial intercellular clefts in contributing to the presence of albumin in interstitial spaces.     

Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies on allografts of the pituitary neurointermediate lobe in the third cerebral ventricle of the rat

Summary Neurointermediate lobes from adult or 10-dayold rats were implanted by a stereotaxic procedure into the third ventricle of adult male rats, in an area close to the paraventricular nucleus. They were examined, using immunocytochemical and ultrastructural techniques, at times ranging from 1 week to 8 months. All grafts were recovered in a healthy condition although some rejection of the tissue was detected at the 1and 2-week stages. In the neural lobe, clusters of pituicytes were scattered among the loose network of capillaries, most of which had a fenestrated endothelium. The intermediate lobe remained organized in compact avascular lobules. Axons similar to those projecting into the neurointermediate lobe in situ, but also axons of other types (e.g., somatostatinergic, enkephalinergic) penetrated the grafts. Synapses with melanotrophic cells in the intermediate lobe and neurohaemal contacts in the neural lobe were frequent from 2 1/2 months after transplantation. Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics indicated intense secretory stimulation of the melanotrophic cells in the early stages. All cells enclosed in a same glandular lobule reacted in a similar manner. In later stages, when re-innervation occurred, the cells recovered their initial characteristics. The overall effect of the re-innervation of the intermediate lobe grafted in this location is inhibitory, as in the lobe in situ.     

Cell differentiation of the fetal rat anterior pituitary in vitro

Summary Adenohypophysial primordia of rat embryos at 13 to 15 days gestation were cultured in Parker 199 synthetic medium for 2 to 11 days. At the end of the culture period their fine structure and the presence of immunoreactive trophic hormones using the peroxidase-labeled antibody technique were investigated. The degree of differentiation in the glands depends largely on the age of the embryos furnishing the explants. Cultured pituitaries explanted on the 13th day of gestation contain only ACTH-positive cells and about 15% of the cells are granular. The granules are 50–100 nm in diameter in some cells, while in other cells they range from 50 to 200 nm. In cultivated adenohypophysial primordia of embryos on the 15th day of intrauterine life ACTH, prolactin, LH and TSH cells are evident, but only the same two kinds of granular cells can be observed with the electron microscope. The extent of cytodifferentiation in the glands explanted on the 14th day of gestation is intermediate between the two other groups. The data suggest that the fetal rat pituitary has the capacity of self-differentiation but to a lesser extent than that of the in situ hypophysis.Dedicated to Professor W. Bargmann on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Uptake and retention of3H-estradiol by gonadotrophs and lactotrophs in the pituitary glands of the guinea pig,hamster and gerbil

Summary Nuclear uptake and retention of³H-estradiol by luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) cells was examined in three species of rodents (guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils) using the combined techniques of immunocyto-chemistry and autoradiography. Castrated animals were injected with³H-estradiol and decapitated 1.5 h later. The pituitary glands were processed for thaw-mount autoradiography followed by conventional immunocytochemical staining for LH and PRL.³H-estradiol accumulated in more than 80% of the anterior pituitary cells in the gerbils, while only 33 and 22% of the cells accumulated³H-estradiol in the hamsters and guinea pigs, respectively. A varying percentage of immunoreactive LH and PRL cells in all three species were found also to contain binding sites for estradiol. Some LH and PRL cells in hamsters and guinea pigs and only some in PRL cells of gerbils were found to be devoid of grains. Quantitative analysis revealed that the number of grains per nucleus differed considerably from cell to cell. LH cells of guinea pigs accumulated much larger amounts of³H-estradiol than did the PRL cells, while the LH cells in the hamsters and gerbils accumulated only slightly more³H-estradiol than the PRL cells.These results confirm the previous observations in rats and baboons that demonstrated tremendous species differences in percentage of cells in the anterior pituitary gland that accumulated³H-estradiol. Also, these data suggest that there are functionally heterogeneous cell types among the LH and PRL cells in hamsters, guinea pigs and gerbils as has been previously demonstrated in rats and baboons.     

褪黑素对男性下丘脑一垂体一性腺轴的调节作用

褪黑素（Melatonin,Mel）对生殖调控有重要意义,本文主要介绍了褪黑素对男性下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴（HPG）三个水平的调节作用,同时探讨了褪黑素调节生殖活动的可能作用机制,并展望了其在男性生殖中的研究发展趋势及应用。     

Comparative immunocytochemical study of the subcommissural organ

Summary The subcommissural organs (SCO) of 76 specimens belonging to 25 vertebrate species (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) were studied by use of the immunoperoxidase procedure. The primary antiserum was obtained by immunizing rabbits with bovine Reissner's fiber (RF) extracted in a medium containing EDTA, DTT and urea. Antiserum against an aqueous extract of RF was also produced. The presence of immunoreactive material in cell processes and endings was regarded as an indication of a possible route of passage. Special attention was paid to the relative development of the ventricular, leptomeningeal and vascular pathways established by immunoreactive structures.The SCO of submammalian species is characterized by (i) a conspicuous leptomeningeal connection established by ependymal cells, (ii) scarce or missing hypendymal cells, and (iii) a population of ependymal cells establishing close spatial contacts with blood vessels.The SCO of most mammalian species displays the following features: (i) ependymal cells lacking immunoreactive long basal processes, (ii) hypendymal secretory cells occurring either in a scattered arrangement or forming clusters, (iii) an occasional leptomeningeal connection provided by hypendymal cells, and (iv) in certain species numerous contacts of secretory cells with blood vessels. In the hedgehog immunoreactive material was missing in the ependymal formation of the SCO, but present in hypendymal cells and in the choroid plexuses. The SCO of several species of New-and Old-World monkeys displayed immunoreactive material, whereas that of anthropoid apes (chimpanzee, orangutan) and man was completely negative with the antisera used.Supported by Grant I/38 259 from the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, Federal Republic of Germany, and Grant RR-82-18 from the Dirección de Investigaciones, Universidad Austral de Chile.The authors wish to thank Mrs. Elizabeth Santibánez and Mr. Genaro Alvial for valuable technical cooperation, and Dr. P. Fernandez-Llebrez, University of Malaga, for providing the specimens of Natrix maura.     

Ultrastructural localization of prolactin,growth hormone and luteinizing hormone by immunocytochemical techniques in the bovine pituitary

Summary The technique of ultrastructural immunocytochemistry involving the unlabeled antibody and the soluble peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex was used to identify and describe the prolactin (P) cells, somatotropic (STH) cells and luteinizing hormone (LH) cells in the bovine anterior pituitary gland. This method was used to localize the three hormones at the electron microscopic level. Staining of varying intensity was found on the secretory granules and on the small granules and vesicles within the Golgi complex. No stain was found in nuclei, on mitochondria or in the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Quantitative analysis of ACTH-immunoreactive cells in the anterior pituitary of young spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats

Summary ACTH-immunoreactive cells in the anterior pituitary of 4-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were studied with immunocytochemical and morphometric techniques. The results were compared with data from age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). No significant differences were found in volume density and average size of ACTH-immunoreactive cells between these two strains. However, SHR showed a significantly larger anterior lobe (2 P < 0.01) than WKY, indicating that the total number of ACTH-immunoreactive cells in the anterior pituitary is greater in SHR than in WKY. These data are in agreement with radioimmunological determinations showing a significantly elevated content (2 P < 0.01) but only a moderately higher concentration (0.05 < 2 P < 0.10) of ACTH in the anterior pituitary of SHR as compared to WKY. The present results suggest an enhanced availability of ACTH in the anterior pituitary of 4-week-old SHR, a fact which could explain the markedly enhanced stress-induced release of ACTH previously found in these animals. This study further supports the hypothesis that, among other factors, an instability of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis may contribute to the development of genetically programmed hypertension.