ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Pituitary gland, pars anterior (distalis)
;
Gonadotrops
;
Thyrotrops
;
Ultrastructure
;
Immunolabeling
;
Teleosts
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Pituitaries of the African catfish (Clarias lazera) were studied with immunocytochemical methods, at the light-microscopic and ultrastructural levels, for the characterization and localization of gonadotropic and thyrotropic cells. Two immunostaining procedures with the use of different markers were carried out: (i) with peroxidase-antiperoxidase, (ii) with protein A-gold. In routinely stained sections for light microscopy two types of basophils were identified in the proximal pars distalis: (1) large, round, purple cells, and (2) small, angular, light-blue cells. Both types were immunolabeled with antibodies against Clarias α,β-gonadotropin (GTH) and salmon G100-GTH. Only the large basophils were immunolabeled with anti-carp β-GTH, whereas the small basophils were the only cells immunolabeled with anti-human thyrotropin beta subunit (anti-h TSH-β). It was concluded that the large basophils represent the gonadotrops and the small basophils the thyrotrops. At the ultrastructural level the immunostaining of the GTH-cells was confined to three types of inclusions: (i) secretory vesicles, (ii) globules, and (iii) electron-dense, membrane-bound irregular masses. Especially the protein A- gold method, in combination with the use of a highly diluted homologous antiserum, resulted in a distinct localization of GTH. The presence of two types of nerve fibres, synaptically contacting the gonadotrops, is discussed with regard to the presence of a peptidergic (stimulatory) and an aminergic (inhibitory) control of GTH-secretion.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00215149
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