Anterior and posterior groups of portal vessels in the avian pituitary

The vasotocinergic system and its role in the regulation of stress in birds

The regulation of stress in birds includes a complex interaction of neural systems affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In addition to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, a structure called the nucleus of the hippocampal commissure likewise affects the output of pituitary stress hormones and appears to be unique to avian species. Within the anterior pituitary, the avian V1a and V1b receptors were found in corticotropes. Based on our studies with central administration of hormones in the chicken, corticotropic releasing hormone (CRH) is a more potent ACTH secretagogue than arginine vasotocin (AVT). In contrast, when applied peripherally, AVT is more efficacious. Co-administration of AVT and CRH peripherally, resulted in a synergistic stimulation of corticosterone release. Data suggest receptor oligomerization as one possible mechanism. In birds, vasotocin receptors associated with stress responses include the V1a and V1b receptors. Three-dimensional, homology-based structural models of the avian V1aR were built to test agonists and antagonists for each receptor that were screened by molecular docking to map their binding sites on each receptor. Additionally, binding affinity values for each available peptide antagonist to the V1aR and V1bR were determined. An anterior pituitary primary culture system was developed to determine how effective each antagonist blocked the function of each receptor in culture when stimulated by a combination of AVT/CRH administration. Use of an antagonist in subsequent in vivo studies identified the V1aR in regulating food intake in birds. The V1aR was likewise found in circumventricular organs of the brain, suggesting a possible function in stress.

Characterization and immunohistochemical visualization of the vasotocin VT2 receptor in the pituitary gland of the chicken, Gallus gallus

Arginine vasotocin is a neurohypophysial hormone in lower vertebrates including birds. Its actions are mediated through G-protein coupled receptors that belong to the vasopressin/oxytocin receptor family. Our laboratory recently cloned a vasotocin receptor, designated the VT2 receptor (VT2R), which shares high sequence identity at both the nucleotide and amino acid level with the mammalian V1b vasopressin receptor (V1bR). In the present study, we report development and use of an antibody to the VT2R to obtain anatomical evidence for testing the hypothesis that the VT2R is the avian homolog of the mammalian V1bR. Results verified the specificity of the antibody and demonstrated a receptor distribution occurring predominantly in the cephalic lobe of the pars distalis and co-localizing with adrenocorticotropin in corticotrophs. With respect to VT2R distribution and cell-type localization in pituitary gland, evidence presented support its similarity with the mammalian V1bR. In contrast to the mammalian V1bR, VT2R expression was not observed in chicken brain. Further research will be required to determine which receptor/s in the arginine vasotocin/mesotocin family are expressed in brain and mediate regulatory functions of vasotocin in the central nervous system.

Vascularization of the pars distalis of the hypophysis in the toad, Bufo bufo (L.) (Amphibia, Anura). A comparative light microscopical and scanning electron microscopical study. I

The vascularization of the pars distalis of the hypophysis of the toad, Bufo bufo (L.), was studied by the traditional method of injecting a mixture of India-ink and gelatine into the circulatory system of the head via the arteria coratis communis. Further, methyl-methacrylate corrosion casts of the brains were made; the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial region of these corrosion casts was studied with the scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the portal vessels which arise from the median eminence do not supply distinct areas in the pars distalis as is supposed by the point-to-point-hypothesis. The portal vessels enter the ventro-median region of the pars distalis and branch off into a three-dimensional network of the secondary capillary plexus of the pars distalis. The plexus is made up mostly by four- to six-sided meshes. This angioarchitecture guarantees an optimal supply of the glandular cells of the pars distalis with nutritional factors and releasing hormones, on the one hand, and facilitates the removal of the hormones which are released by these cells, on the other hand. The venous drainage of the pars distalis is exerted mainly by two large veins, which bilaterally leave the dorso-lateral region (venous pole) of the pars distalis and by a few small veins, which drain into the wide, sinus-like vessel, which curves around the dorso-caudal region of the pars distalis and joins bilaterally the vena hypophysea transversa.

Ultrastructure of the neurohemal hypothalamic floor of the frog, Rana catesbeiana

The fine structure of the hypothalamic floor was studied in the frog, Rana catesbeiana. The regions slightly anterior and posterior to thw swollen hypothalamic floor part, which has been classically designated as the median eminence, contained neurosecretory axon terminals abutting on the capillary walls. The region relatively far anterior to the swollen part did not show neurosecretory axons terminating on capillary walls. The neural stalk contiguous to the rostral border of the pars intermedia had few neurosecretory axon terminals which end on the terminal portions of the ependymal processes covering the capillary wall. The functional significance of the regional differentiation of the frog neurohypophysis is discussed in connection with the regional differentiation of various secretory cells in the adenohypophysis.