Differential appearance of the subunits of glycoprotein hormones (LH, FSH, and TSH) in the pituitary of bullfrog ( Rana catesbeiana) larvae during metamorphosis

• Published in: General and comparative endocrinology Vol. 84; no. 2; pp. 318 - 327
• Main Authors: Tanaka, Shigeyasu, Sakai, Makoto, Park, Min Kyun, Kurosumi, Kazumasa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.11.1991; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - analysis; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Larva - metabolism; Luteinizing Hormone - analysis; Metamorphosis, Biological - physiology; Pituitary Gland - chemistry; Pituitary Gland - embryology; Pituitary Gland - growth & development; Radioimmunoassay; Rana catesbeiana; Rana catesbeiana - embryology; Rana catesbeiana - growth & development; Rana catesbeiana - metabolism; Thyrotropin - analysis; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Frog; Amphibia; TSH; Salientia; Glycoprotein hormone; Vertebrata; Adenohypophyseal hormone; Larva; Gonadotropic cell; Thyreotropic cell; Development; Pituitary gland; FSH; LH; Metamorphosis; Rana catesbeiana
• ISSN: 0016-6480; 1095-6840
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-6480(91)90055-B

The ontogeny of gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs in the bullfrog pituitary was examined immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against bullfrog lutropin β-subunit (LHβ), follitropin β-subunit (FSHβ) and its α-subunit, and polyclonal anti-human thyrotropin β-subunit (TSHβ) serum. Immunoreactive α-subunit- and TSHβ-, but not FSHβ- and LHβ-containing cells were observed at embryonic stage 24 (Shumway's classification). Immunoreactive FSHβ cells first appeared at Taylor-Korllos stage V, and immunoreactive LHβ cells at stage X. Throughout metamorphosis, several gonadotrophs containing both FSH and LH were found in the ventrocaudal region, but most gonadotrophs contained only FSH. Immuunoreactive α-subunit cells were always more frequent than the sum of immunoreactive β-subunit cells, which was confirmed by quantitative studies using immunohistochemical and RIA techniques.