Relationship of catecholamines and LHRH: light microscopic study.
A wealth of evidence suggests that catecholamines influence gonadotrophin secretion. To assess whether this interaction involved LHRH cells or their processes, the distribution of the catecholamine synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was examined with reference to the LHRH system in the adult male mouse brain. Alternate 30-50 micron sections cut on a vibrating microtome were stained immunocytochemically for TH and LHRH. These studies revealed the presence of catecholamine fibers in the areas of LHRH cells. Co-localization of TH and LHRH with a dual immunoperoxidase technique in single 20-25 micron sections showed a juxtaposition of catecholamine fibers on LHRH cells and their dendrites. All LHRH cells did not appear contacted. In addition, LHRH axons were in close apposition to the dopamine cells of the arcuate nucleus and periventricular hypothalamus. Within the median eminence, the anatomical distribution of LHRH and TH was differentially organized with few areas of overlap. These results support a direct action of catecholamines on the LHRH system and suggest that LHRH may influence dopamine function.
D000818:Animals; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007032:Hypothalamus, Anterior / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009115:Muridae; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D002395:Catecholamines; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004298:Dopamine