The hypothalamo-hypophysial system of the frog Rana temporaria. II. Functional morphology of the external zone of the median eminence during metamorphosis

Quantative radioautographic light and electron microscopic analysis of the localization of monoamines in the median eminence of the rat

Serotonin containing structures in the median eminence of the rat have been studied by quantitative light and electron microscopic radioautography following intraventricular infusion of tritiated 5-hydroxytryptophan. One hour after injection of the tracer the highest density of silver grains was recorded in the ependymal and external zones, especially in the lateral palisade zone. The proportion of labelled neurosecretory terminals was also larger in the lateral palisade zone (29%) as compared with the medial palisade zone (13%), although the mean number of developed silver grains per one terminal was higher in the latter. On the average, 16% of neurosecretory terminals sequestered radiolabelled 5-hydroxytryptophan in the external zone of the rat median eminence. It is suggested that serotonin, like catecholamines, is discharged from neurosecretory terminals localized in the external zone and via the portal circulation affects the function of the anterior pituitary. The sites of origin of serotoninergic structures of the median eminence as well as the possible role of monoamine (catecholamine and indolamine) neurohormones in a dual peptidergic and monoaminergic control of anterior pituitary functions are discussed.

The hypothalamo-hypophysial system of the lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis L. II. The proximal neurosecretory contact region

The proximal neurosecretory contact region (PNCR) of the lamprey, a homologue of the median eminence of tetrapods, was studied by light, fluorescence and electron microscopy. Paraldehyde fuchsin-positive neurosecretory fibers are seen mainly in the central part of the rostral subdivision of the PNCR. The Falck-Hillarp technique reveals a weak, mainly diffuse yellow-green fluorescence in the PNCR. The ultrastructure of the tanycyte layer of the PNCR is very similar to that in the neurohypophysis of the same species, although the funnel-shaped protrusions of the third ventricle in the rostral part of the PNCR are more frequent than in the neurophypophysis. Peptidergic A1 and A2 neurosecretory fibers are characterized by neurosecretory granules of 120-200 nm and 100-150 nm in diameter, respectively. Monoaminergic B type fibers contain granules 80-100 nm in diameter. Neurosecretory terminals and the vascular endfeet of tanycytes make contact with the basement membrane of the avascular connective tissue layer separating the PNCR from the hypophysial pars distalis. It is suggested that both peptide and monoamine neurohormones diffuse through the thick connective tissue septa into the underlying blood vessels which supply the pars distalis and thus affect the function of its glandular cells.

The hypothalamo-hypophysial system in acipenseridae. VI. The proximal neurosecretory contact region

The proximal neurosecretory contact region (PCR) of Acipenseridae, a homologue of the tetrapod median eminence, has been studied by light, fluorescence and electron microscopy. It occupies the rostral and chiefly the ventral surfaces of the hypothalamic tuber cinereum. PAF-positive fibres occur in the zone of the preoptico-hypophysial tract but their terminal enlargements are concentrated mainly in the external zone. They make contact with the primary portal capillaries situated in the pia mater. Monoaminergic fibres and terminals with an intense green fluorescence are localized in the same regions. The fibres of some bipolar monoaminergic neurons of the PCR make contact both with the third ventricle and the primary portal capillaries. Three types of granule-containing neurosecretory fibres and terminals have been recognized in the PCR. Fibres of types A1 (d = 120-300 nm) and A2 (D = 100-170 nm) are peptidergic PAR-positive, although some fibres, including some of type A1, belong possibly to PAF-negative type. Monoaminergic type B fibres have granules 80-100 nm in diameter. Neurosecretory terminals and vascular "endfeet" of tanycytes make contact with the 70 nm thick outer basement membrane of the primary portal capillaries. Several laminae of thin horizontally oriented tanycyte processes form a boundary between the external zone and the preoptico-hypophysial tract. Few neuroglial cells with pale cytoplasm, numerous lysosomes and lipofuscin granules are seen in this region. It is hypothesized that, as in other vertebrates both peptide hypophysiotropic neurohormones and monoamines are discarged from the PCR into the portal circulation and affect the activity of the glandular cells of the pars distalis.

Ultrastructure of the neurohemal hypothalamic floor of the frog, Rana catesbeiana

The fine structure of the hypothalamic floor was studied in the frog, Rana catesbeiana. The regions slightly anterior and posterior to thw swollen hypothalamic floor part, which has been classically designated as the median eminence, contained neurosecretory axon terminals abutting on the capillary walls. The region relatively far anterior to the swollen part did not show neurosecretory axons terminating on capillary walls. The neural stalk contiguous to the rostral border of the pars intermedia had few neurosecretory axon terminals which end on the terminal portions of the ependymal processes covering the capillary wall. The functional significance of the regional differentiation of the frog neurohypophysis is discussed in connection with the regional differentiation of various secretory cells in the adenohypophysis.