Studies on some properties of neurosecretory substance. I.

Abstract

1. In order to investigate lipid substances contained in the neurosecretory system in frog, Baker's acid hematein test in combination with the pyridine extraction method and Lison's sudan black technique were employed. Phospholipid was demonstrated in the preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus and in the posterior lobe of the hypophysis. The distribution of this substance corresponded with that of Gomori's neurosecretory substance. Non-phospholipid material was found in the middle lobe, while, the phloxinophile substance by means of Gomori's stain was demonstrable, which was thought to be different from the neurosecretory substance in the posterior lobe. 2. Changes in stainability of the neurosecretory substance of rat pretreated by serum were observed. Five μ frontal sections were prepared from the hypothalamus, with hypophysis attached, of rat fixed by Zenker-formol, Bouin-, susa fluid or 10% formalin. These sections were incubated in a serum fluid of rabbit, following by staining with Gomori's C.H.P. stain. The stainability of neurosecretory substance was lost or decreased after being treated with the serum. When enzyme inhibitors, such as citric acid, cupric sulfate, lead acetate, mercuric acetate or formalin are added to the serum, the neurosecretory substance is easily stained as well as that of the control. It is assumed that the neurosecretory substance is denatured by some proteolytic enzymes contained in the serum.