Ultrastructure of the rabbit neurohypophysis with special reference to the release of hormones

The destination of the aged, nonreleasable neurohypophyseal peptides stored in the neural lobe is associated to the remodeling of the neurosecretory axon

The present investigation was designed to investigate the fate of the large pool of neurohypophyseal hormones that is never released into the blood. Normal Sprague-Dawley and taiep mutant rats were investigated under normal water balance, after dehydration and after dehydration-rehydration. Lectin histochemistry and light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry using antibodies against vasopressin, oxytocin, and neurophysins used at low (1:1,000) and high (1:15,000) dilutions allowed to distinguish (1) recently packed immature granules, as those located in the perikaryon; (2) mature; and (3) aged granules. The distribution of these granules within the different domains of the neurosecretory axons located in the neural lobe, namely, undilated segments, swellings, terminals, and Herring bodies, and the response of these compartments to dehydration and dehydration-rehydration allowed to roughly follow the routing of the granules through such axonal domains. It is suggested that granules may move backward and forward between the terminals and the swellings. At variance, aged granules located in Herring body are retained in this compartment and would finally become degraded. Herring bodies displayed distinct lectin binding and immunocytochemical properties, allowing to distinguish them from axonal swellings. After a dehydration-rehydration cycle, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy revealed that Herring bodies were no longer present in the neural lobe and that several terminals had degenerated. It is concluded that (1) the neurophysin axons may undergo remodeling under appropriate stimuli and (2) Herring bodies are a specialized and plastic domain of the magnocellular neurosecretory neuron involved in the disposal of aged neurosecretory granules. No differences were detected at the neural lobe level between normal and mutant rats subjected to the same experimental conditions.

Tanycytes and pituicytes: morphological and functional aspects of neuroglial interaction

The hypothalamo-hypophyseal system is supplied with two types of specialized glial cells that interact in neuroendocrine functional dynamics: the tanycytes and the pituicytes. Tanycytes are the dominating glial cells within the median eminence. Similar to radial glia, they extend from the floor of the third ventricle to the neurohemal surface of the median eminence. Pituicytes, as specialized astrocytes, are the main glial cells of the neural lobe. They are in intimate contact with the perivascular space of the sinusoidal vessels. Morphological similarities between the two cell types focus on their interaction with terminal branches of hypothalamic neurons in both regions of the neurohypophysis, the median eminence and the neural lobe. Release of hypothalamic hormones is apparently influenced by pituicytes and tanycytes. For instance, both types of cells are capable of closing or opening the access to the vessels. Thereby, in contrast to the "blood-brain-barrier" function of astrocytes, pituicytes and tanycytes display "brain-blood-barrier" functions. Pituicytes are characterized by the expression of specific membrane-bound receptors for opioids, vasopressin, and beta-adrenoceptors, indicating that they receive input by numerous neuroactive substances. Integration of these incoming signals may result in a regulation of neurosecretion, especially by morphological changes and by modulation of extracellular ion concentrations. Comparable modulatory mechanisms of tanycytes have not yet been elucidated in a convincing manner. Besides possible regulatory functions, tanycytes are considered to possess guiding functions for hypothalamic axons and to be involved in transport mechanisms between ventricle and blood vessels of the portal system.

Ultrastructure of the neurohypophysis

This review summarizes our current knowledge of the ultrastructure of the human neurohypophysis and includes comments on its anatomy, physiology, and embryology. The neurohypophysis represents a unique tissue having neural and endocrine characteristics and possessing ultrastructural features distinct from those of conventional endocrine organs such as the anterior pituitary, thyroid, pancreatic islets, etc. In contrast to these glands, the neurohypophysis is composed of the processes of mature neurons. As such, it is not capable of synthesizing hormones but only of their storage and release. Neurosecretion is one of the most exciting areas of neuroendocrinology and, although spectacular progress has been achieved in elucidating the process, a number of aspects are incompletely understood. Recent evidence indicates that the magnocellular nuclei of the hypothalamus, the anatomic origin and functional basis of the neurohypophysis, produce not only vasopressin and oxytocin, the so-called "neurohypophyseal hormones," but a number of other biologically active peptides as well. The physiologic function of these substances is largely unknown but they may be of profound importance in endocrine homeostasis. Based on these novel findings, the role of the neurohypophysis in endocrine regulation has to be re-evaluated.

Architecture of the basal region of the subcommissural organ in the brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

The architecture of the basal region of the subcommissural organ (SCO) and the subjacent neuropil was studied in the brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Marsupialia). Several structural features suggest that the basal mode of SCO-secretion may be as prominent as the well-established apical secretion. Some of the features that speak in favour of basal secretion are: (1) the existence of deep processes of secretion-laden SCO cells which reach and surround the capillaries in the hypendyma and the subjacent neuropil; (2) the presence of perivascular spaces, some of which may contain a material that resembles the secretory product of the SCO; (3) positive staining by means of paraldehyde-fuchsin of secretory material in the pericapillary zone of vessels in the hypendyma and its corresponding neuropil; (4) presence of labyrinths of the basal lamina of capillaries and associated nerves. The presence of nerve and other cell processes adjacent to the perivascular space, labyrinths and capillary wall suggests discharge into the capillaries of material such as the basal secretory product of the SCO. However, the absence of fenestrae in capillary endothelium in the context of the foregoing observations is enigmatic and speaks against the possibility of a conventional release of secretion. Nevertheless, it is possible that a secretory product containing particles of low molecular weight combined with some specific features of the local capillary endothelium, which facilitate transport, may be critical factors making possible transfer of such product(s) from the SCO to the capillaries.

An electron microscopic study on the structural development of the neural lobe in the human fetus

Structural development of the neural lobe of the hypophysis was studied by light and electron microscopy in five human fetuses ranging from 7.5 to 19 weeks of ovulation age. Clusters of small clear vesicles were found occasionally in axon profiles in a fetus of 7.5 weeks. Granular vesicles in axon profiles first accumulated in a fetus of 8.5 weeks. Concurrently, fenestration of capillary walls and expansion of perivascular spaces were observed. After 8.5 weeks, three types of vesicle-containing axon profiles were found, which contained predominantly granular vesicles (GP), small clear vesicles (SP), and a mixed population of both granular and small clear vesicles (MX), respectively. Their numbers increased significantly during two periods, 7.5-8.5 weeks and 15.5-19 weeks. Ratios of GP, SP, and MX to the total number of the three types of axon were almost the same in all the fetuses studied, i.e., about 40%, 40%, and 20%, respectively. Developmental changes in the diameter of granular vesicles were examined in GP, SP, and MX of each fetus. Apart from a few exceptions, the mean diameter of granular vesicles was larger in GP than in MX, which was in turn larger than in SP. The diameters increased with development and those in GP reached almost the same value as in the adult by 19 weeks.

Ultrastructural study of the human neurohypophysis. II. Cellular elements of neural parenchyma, the pituicytes

The pars nervosa of the neurohypophysis from 12 patients undergoing hypophysectomy for palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma was studied electron microscopically. Special attention was given to the cellular elements, the pituicytes. Five different classes of pituicytes, with various transitional forms, were elucidated based on their ultrastructural characteristics: (1) The most common type, referred to as "major pituicytes", is reminiscent of astrocytes. (2) "Dark pituicytes" are thought to represent different functional stages of the "major pituicytes". (3) "Ependymal pituicytes" are believed to provide ultrastructural evidence that human pituicytes are phylogenetically derived from ependymal cells. (4) "Oncocytic pituicytes" were observed in all cases and are of unknown significane. (5) The ultrastructural features of "granular pituicytes" suggest the existence of an active uptake and catabolism of extracellular material by pituicytes, probably through "ultraphagocytosis" or "endocytosis". These five classes of pituicytes are considered to represent different functional forms of one cell line that originates phylogenetically from the ependyma.

Neurophysin in the brain and pituitary gland of normal and scrapie-affected sheep—I

By use of an immunofluorescence histochemical technique with a cross-species reactive antiserum to porcine neurophysin-II the precise localization of neurophysin in the pituitary gland and the hypothalamic area of the brain of the sheep has been determined. Neurophysin was confined to neurosecretory pathways originating from the supraoptic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei. The major pathway terminates in the neurohypophysis but in addition a second neurophysin-containing pathway proceeds in the external infundibular zone of the median eminence-pituitary stalk and is associated with the presence of vasopressin. In sheep affected with the hereditary degenerative disease known as natural scrapie, this supraoptico-paraventriculo-infundibular pathway is preserved and hypertrophied, while the major pathway to the posterior lobe of the pituitary degenerates. The supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in the sheep comprise at least two distinct but morphologically similar neuronal populations affected differently by the natural scrapie genome, one undergoing dissolution by middle-age and one surviving and becoming hyperactive. This premature ageing is probably associated with a primary biochemical lesion affecting the rate of the axonal flow of neurosecretory vesicles and of their discharge at synaptic terminals. Possible metabolic and circulatory bases for such an anomaly are considered. The presence of neurophysin in the rostral and caudal adenohypophysis supports the view that vasopressin is acting directly as a trophic-hormone releasing factor, possibly for the quick release of adrenocorticotropic hormone and of growth hormone. The relation of neurophysin-rich aggregations in the neurohypophysis to Herring bodies and the turnover of neurosecretory material are discussed.

Cytidine-5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl)-galactosyl-glucosylceramide sialyltransferase in the neurohypophysis of the rabbit

1. Cytidine-5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid: (galactosyl-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl)-galactosyl-glucosylceramide sialyltransferase (CMP-NAcNeu: monosialoganglioside (GM1) sialyltransferase) activity was demonstrated in the neurohypophysis of the rabbit. 2. Optimum activity occurred at pH 6.5 and required the presence of exogenous galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl)-galactosyl-glucosylceramide (GM1 ganglioside), detergent (Triton X-100), and divalent cation (Mn2+, Mg2+ or Ca2+). 3. The product of the reaction was characterized as N-acetylneuraminyl-galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl)-galactosyl-glucosylceramide (GD1a) by ascending thin-layer chromatography. 4. Physiological stimulation of vasopressin secretion, by the substitution of 2.2% NaCl for drinking water for 14 days, had no effect on the enzyme activiity or the ganglioside content of the tissue.

The extravascular channel system in the rostral pituitary of Mugil cephalus (Teleostei) as revealed by use of horseradish peroxidase

The interlobular spaces, separating the neuro- and the adenohypophysis can be visualized in the pituitary of the Grey Mullet by using the horseradish peroxidase technique. On the one hand, these spaces communicate with the pericapillary spaces. On the other, they are linked with the pericellular spaces in the adenohypophysis and the periaxonal spaces in the neurohypophysis, thus providing a pathway for the exchange of metabolites and hormones between blood system, epithelial cells and the terminal region of the neurosecretory axons. The interlobular spaces branch off between the tips of the corticotrop cells and form a network adjacent to the adeno- and neurohypophyseal interface. It is possible that branches of this network penetrate into the interior of the corticotrops. The probable role of the network is to permit close contact between neurosecretory hormones and the corticotrops and also to enable the corticotrop hormone to reach the capillaries.

The hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system of the guinea pig. III. Ultrastructure of the fetal neural lobe

The ultrastructure of the fetal guinea pig neural lobe was studied from day 40 to day 60 of gestation. Pituitaries were taken every five days and at least four glands from each gestational period were examined. Bundles of nerve fibers had invaded the periphery of the gland on day 40. By day 50 axon profiles were distributed throughout the entire posterior pituitary though pituicyte processes continued to act as a barrier between axons and the perivascular space of capillaries. Neural processes established contact with the capillaries between days 55 and 60. Neurosecretory granules (NSG) were present within a few axons on day 40. The number of axons with NSG and the total quantity of granules increased gradually throughout fetal development. Electron-lucent granules (microvesicles) were observed infrequently until the day of birth. A population of dense-cored vesicles, 70-80 mmu in diameter, was present from day 50 onward; a second population with larger diameters was also present throughout the developmental sequence and these increased from 90-130 mmu in diameter to 170-220 mmu in diameter between days 40 to 60. The presence of neurosecretory granules is discussed in relation to the onset of synthesis and storage of neurohypophysial hormones.

Ultrastructural evidence for sinusoid spaces and coupling between pituicytes in the rat

The pericapillary palisade of the rat neurohypophysis was examined by means of thin-section and freeze-etch electron-microscopy. Special attention was given to pituicyte processes intermingled with neurosecretory terminals. These processes are identified by the presence of lipid droplets and ribosomes. Extracellular spaces are conspicuously enlarged in circumscribed regions between fingerlike protrusions of pituicyte processes. Neurosecretory axons seem to have free access to these enlarged spaces. Zonulae occludentes often combined with small gap junctions are found at the border of these sinusoid spaces. Gap junctions and occasionally intermediate junctions are seen between pituicyte processes. The topographic relationship and the functional significance of these structural features remain to be further elucidated.

Morphology of the perivascular regions of the rat neural lobe in relation to hormone release

Neural lobes of rats subjected to dehydration by drinking 2% saline for four days were examined electron microscopically and compared to untreated controls. The ultrastructure of the blood vessels and the tissues surrounding them were examined and it was found that, although few exocytotic figures could be seen in either group of animals, a significantly larger (P smaller than 0.01) number os small vesicles were found in nerve endings adjacent to the perivascular space in the saline treated group when compared to nerve endings not closely associated with blood vessels. No differences were found in the control group of animals, which supports the suggestion that the vesicles could arise from a membrane recapture process.

Adenosine triphosphatase activity in the neural lobe of the bovine pituitary gland

1. Homogenates of neural lobes of bovine pituitary glands were fractionated by differential and density-gradient ultracentrifugation and the distribution of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity was studied. It was shown that all the activity was membrane-bound. 2. On the basis of ionic requirements the ATPase activity was grouped into three categories: (a) Mg(2+)-dependent, (b) Ca(2+)-dependent and (c) Mg(2+)+Na(+)+K(+)-dependent (ouabain-sensitive) ATPases. The activity in the absence of bivalent cations was negligible. The ratio between the activities of the three ATPases varied between the different subcellular fractions. 3. Preincubation of the subcellular fractions with deoxycholate increased the activity of the Mg(2+)+Na(+)+K(+)-dependent enzyme, whereas the Mg(2+)- and Ca(2+)-activated ATPases were either unaffected or slightly inhibited. Triton X-100 solubilized the Mg(2+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPases; however, the activity of the Mg(2+)+Na(+)+K(+)-ATPase was abolished by the concentration of Triton X-100 used. 4. All the subfractions displayed unspecific nucleotide triphosphatase activity towards GTP, ITP and UTP. These substrates inhibited the hydrolysis of ATP by all three ATPases. ADP also inhibited the ATPases. 5. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of extracts containing the Mg(2+)- and Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity solubilized by Triton X-100 revealed the presence of two enzymes; one activated by either Mg(2+) or Ca(2+) and the other activated only by Ca(2+). 6. In sucrose density gradients the distribution of vasopressin was different from that of all three types of ATPases. It is therefore suggested that the neurosecretory granules do not possess ATPase activity.