Immunohistochemical detection of gonadotropin-like material in the hagfish pituitary, correlated with their gonadal conditions

• Published in: Fish physiology and biochemistry Vol. 28; no. 1-4; pp. 85 - 87
• Main Authors: Nozaki, M., Oshima, Y., Shimotani, T., Sower, S.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01.01.2003
• Subjects: Eptatretus burgeri; Marine; Myxine glutinosa; Myxinidae; Paramyxine atami; Rana catesbeiana; Salmon; Salmonidae
• ISSN: 0920-1742; 1573-5168
• DOI: 10.1023/B:FISH.0000030482.32357.cd

In the present study, immunoreactive gonadotropin (GTH)-like material was examined in the hagfish pituitary, in correlation with their gonadal conditions. For this purpose, three species of hagfish, Myxine glutinosa, Eptatretus burgeri and Paramyxine atami, were used. In all species, GTH-like cells were observed in the adenohypophysis. They were stained with several antibodies to LH-related GTHs, such as ovine LH beta , human LH beta , bullfrog LH, and salmon GTHII beta . In the subsequent study, the relationship between the amount of GTH-like material and gonadal conditions was examined in Paramyxine atami. The adenohypophysis of adult animals exhibited well-developing features, and about half of the adenohypophysial cells were stained intensely with anti-ovine LH beta . On the other hand, the adenohypophysis of juveniles exhibited less developed features with few or no cells stained with anti-ovine LH beta . These results suggest that a GTH-gonadal system is truly present in the hagfish.