title: EGF release by rat gonadotroph cells: characteristics and effects of LHRH.
abstract: The ability of anterior pituitary cells of immature female rats to secrete epidermal growth factor (EGF) was studied using the reverse hemolytic plaque assay. An average of 22% of cells (22.12 +/- 0.49%) spontaneously released low amount of EGF, as measured by the small area of plaques surrounding cells (1230 +/- 67 micron2). To determine the cellular origin of EGF from the rat anterior pituitary gland, a combination of immunocytochemistry and reverse hemolytic plaque assay was used. Most of the EGF-secreting cells were identified as luteinizing hormone (LH) containing cells (72.14 +/- 2.97%). Treatment with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH; 10 nM) significantly increased the plaque area formed around EGF-secreting cells (2438 +/- 114 micron2) without altering the number of EGF-secreting cells. These results indicate that EGF is mostly secreted by gonadotrophs and that this EGF release is enhanced by LHRH.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U 394, Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Intégrative, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mouihate
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Verrier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lestage
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000378:metabolism*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor