title: Immunocytochemical demonstration of prolactin-like activity in the neural gland of the ascidian Styela plicata.
abstract: The neural gland of the ascidian Styela plicata has been studied by means of cytochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Several cells of the glandular lobules are erythrosin-positive and immunoreactive after incubation with a mammalian antibody to human prolactin. On the basis of the results obtained and of the existing literature, the possible pituitary-like function of the neural gland is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014561:Urochordata / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin