The goldfish pituitary. I. Cytology.

Abstract

The innervation of the pituitary gland of Carassius auratus was studied by light and electron microscopy under various physiological and experimental conditions to investigate whether or not neurosecretory fibres play a role in regulating pars distalis function. Two types of neurosecretory fibre (Type A and Type B) were distinguished. Prolactin, ACTH and TSH1 cells were innervated by Type B fibre terminals separated from the endocrine cells by a continuous basal lamina (“indirect contacts”). Gonadotropic, STH and TSH2 cells were innervated by Type A as well as Type B neurosecretory fibres, mostly without an intervening basal lamina (“direct contacts”). The assessment of the amount of neurosecretory granules and microvesicles in nerve terminals during the pre-spawning, spawning and postspawning seasons and following the administration of Oestradiol, Thyroxine, Thiourea and Metopiron respectively revealed convincing evidence for a participation in pars distalis control for Type A and Type B fibres innervating gonadotropic cells and STH cells and Type B fibres innervating TSH2 and ACTH cells. Immediately after spawning both nerve fibre types innervating gonadotropic cells and Type A fibres innervating STH cells showed a striking decrease in the amount of dense core vesicles. During the spawning season nerve fibres innervating somatotropic cells, TSH2 cells and ACTH cells also undergo changes suggesting that prior to spawning major changes in the endocrine system of the goldfish take place.—These results point to a dual control, by peptides and amines, of teleost pars distalis function.