Seasonal changes in prolactin and growth hormone cells in the hypophyses of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus borealis) studied by light microscopic immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay.

Abstract

Numerous investigators have shown a relationship between basal serum prolactin (PRL) levels and photoperiod in domestic ungulates, and we have shown recently that a similar seasonal baseline serum PRL profile exists in both sexes of a captive but free-breeding population of white-tailed deer. In order to localize and describe the distribution and possible seasonal changes of PRL and growth hormone (GH) cells in the adenohypophyses of deer, we have used antisera raised against ovine PRL and bovine GH and the unlabeled antibody enzyme technique, in conjunction with point counting morphometry. In addition, we have measured seasonal changes in pituitary PRL concentrations in this same population, using a heterologous application of a recently developed homologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) for ovine PRL. Our results show that GH and PRL cells comprise two morphologically separate and immunologically distinct populations. Growth hormone cells were distributed evenly throughout the gland, except in the zona tuberalis, and males had a slightly greater volume density of immunoreactive GH than females; however, there were no differences between sexes in the average size of these cells, and little seasonal change was observed in these cell populations. In contrast to GH cells, the volume density of PRL cells, the size of PRL cells, and the pituitary concentration of RIA--measurable PRL all showed marked seasonal changes in deer of both sexes. These changes were well correlated with one another and with previously reported changes in basal serum levels (in these animals), in that they all reached zenith during midsummer, and nadir in midwinter. Our results demonstrate the necessity of reporting the time of year and latitude (to specify photoperiod) in studies concerning PRL cell physiology, particularly when dealing with any wild animal population.