Gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons and pathways in the brain of the female mink (Mustela vison).
The distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-immunoreactive neurons and processes was mapped in the female mink brain using coronal, horizontal and sagittal sections. Perikarya were found along a ventral continuum including the olfactory tubercle, the diagonal band of Broca, the lateral septum, the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic area and the mediobasal hypothalamus; 80% of the perikarya were counted in the mediobasal hypothalamus. Fibres were mainly observed in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and the median eminence. A few processes terminated in the ependymal cells lining the third and lateral ventricles. The total number of immunoreactive perikarya was the highest in the brains of females sacrificed in July; it then significantly decreased until December. This variation is discussed in relation to the annual breeding cycle.
Toumi
F N
FN
Laboratoire de Physiologie Sensorielle, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Jouy en Josas, France.
Martinet
L
L
Peytevin
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D008907:Mink / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012621:Seasons
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone