Differences in the distributional pattern of CRF-, oxytocin-, and vasopressin-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the median eminence of the rat.
Conspicuous differences in the distributional pattern of nerve fibers containing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) or posterior lobe hormones, respectively, were shown in the median eminence of the adult male rat by means of immunoperoxidase histochemistry, with the use of anti-CRF, anti-oxytocin, and anti-vasopressin sera. In the rostral and central divisions of the median eminence, a high concentration of CRF-immunoreactive nerve fibers was found in the median portion of the external layer; these fibers terminated on the capillary loops of the hypophysial portal system. In the caudal division of the median eminence, the CRF-immunoreactive nerve fibers were located in the median to paramedian portions of the external layer. Numerous oxytocin- and vasopressin-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed evenly distributed throughout the internal layer of the median eminence. In the external layer, a small number of the oxytocin- and vasopressin-containing nerve fibers was found around the capillary loops, particularly in the median to paramedian portions. The distributional patterns of the CRF and the posterior lobe hormones in the hypothalamo-hypophysial system and their functional interrelationship are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008473:Median Eminence / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000378:metabolism*
D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone