title: Immunocytochemical localization of vasopressin v1a receptors in the rat pituitary gonadotropes.
abstract: Immunocytochemical labeling using a specific antibody against vasopressin V1a receptor allowed the localization of this receptor within a subset of cells from male rat anterior pituitary. The presence of transcripts of the corresponding gene in the anterior pituitary was confirmed by RT-PCR. Multiple immunocytochemical labeling combined with confocal microscopy allowed the identification of the V1a-labeled cells as gonadotropes. At the subcellular level, the vasopressin V1a receptor was mainly associated with cytoplasmic vesicles dispersed throughout the cell, which were not the secretory granules storing LH or FSH. In addition to effects exerted by vasopressin via central targets involved in the reproductive pathways, the presence of vasopressin V1a receptors on gonadotropes supports the controversial hypothesis of a local direct action of the neuropeptide on this cell type.
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Université Montpellier II, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5101, Biologie des Neurones Endocrines, Centre de Pharmacologie-Endocrinologie, Montpellier F-34094, France.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orcel
authors.forename: Vicky A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rabié
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000737:chemistry; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone