Synaptology of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-immunoreactive cells in the nervus terminalis of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica).
Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry were used to examine the structure of LHRH neurons and fibers in the nervus terminalis of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). LHRH-immunoreactive neurons and fibers form a loose plexus within the fascicular network of the ganglion terminale on the median surface of the olfactory bulb. There are at least two populations of LHRH-immunoreactive neurons within the network of the ganglion terminale: fusiform and round neurons similar to those described in the forebrain. At the ultrastructural level, axosomatic and axodendritic contacts were seen between LHRH-immunoreactive and nonimmunoreactive elements in the ganglion terminale. These contacts were classified as 1) synaptic input, with asymmetric synapses seen between a nonimmunoreactive axon terminal and a LHRH-immunoreactive cell body or a nonimmunoreactive axon terminal and a LHRH-immunoreactive dendritic process. 2) synaptic output, with symmetric synapses seen between LHRH-immunoreactive and nonimmunoreactive processes. This study is the first systematic examination of the ultrastructure of the LHRH-immunoreactive neurons and their synaptic contacts in the nervus terminalis. The possible integrative roles for this LHRH-immunoreactive system are discussed.
Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021.
L M
LM
Zheng
D W
DW
Pfaff
M
M
Schwanzel-Fukuda
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009893:Opossums / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone