Relationship between enkephalinergic neurons and the vasopressin-oxytocin neuroendocrine system of the cat: an immunohistochemical study.

Abstract

Localization of enkephalins and opiate binding sites in the central nervous system of rats has been reported by several authors. These studies did not reveal an extensive enkephalinergic system in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis of rats. The present paper reports on an extensive enkephalinergic system in the cat hypothalamo-hypophyseal system. Sections of paraformaldehyde fixed cat hypothalami were incubated with anti-methionine enkephalin serum, anti-vasopressin serum, and anti-oxytocin serum. Immunohistochemical localization of methionine enkephalin fibers and terminals in the median eminence, hypophyseal stalk, and pars nervosa was similar, but not identical to the distribution of vasopressin and oxytocin in these structures. Neuronal perikarya localized with the three antisera in the nucleus supraopticus and nucleus paraventricularis were of a similar size and morphology. In cats treated with colchicine prior to sacrifice, the anti-methionine enkephalin serum revealed a group of periventricular cell bodies. Cell bodies were not localized in this area with anti-vasopressin or anti-oxytocin sera. The functional significance of such an extensive enkephalinergic system in the cat hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis is discussed.