Immunoelectron microscopic demonstration of oxytocin and vasopressin in pituicytes and in nerve terminals forming synaptoid contacts with pituicytes in the rat neural lobe.
A pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopic technique was used to obtain morphological evidence for a role of oxytocin and vasopressin in the regulation of their own or each others release from the neural lobe. No synaptoid contacts of oxytocin- or vasopressin-containing axons with other neuronal structures were observed. However, synaptoid contacts of oxytocin- and vasopressin-containing nerve terminals and Herring bodies with pituicytes were frequently observed. These findings suggest that the pituicyte may participate in auto- and/or cross-regulation of oxytocin and vasopressin release. Moreover, oxytocin and vasopressin precursor-derived peptides were found in the cytoplasm of some pituicytes, an unexpected finding that will be discussed.
Boersma
C J
CJ
Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Amsterdam.
Sonnemans
M A
MA
Van Leeuwen
F W
FW
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000737:chemistry*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000737:chemistry; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000032:analysis*; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D011910:Rats, Brattleboro; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000032:analysis*
D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin