Hypothalamo-hypophysial Research Articles

Blood flows from the SCN toward the OVLT within a new brain vascular portal pathway.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) sets the phase of oscillation throughout the brain and body. Anatomical evidence reveals a portal system linking the SCN and the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), begging the question of the direction of blood flow and the nature of diffusible signals that flow in this specialized vasculature. Using a combination of anatomical and in vivo two-photon imaging approaches, we unequivocally show that blood flows unidirectionally from the SCN to the OVLT, that blood flow rate displays daily oscillations with a higher rate at night than in the day, and that circulating vasopressin can access portal vessels. These findings highlight a previously unknown central nervous system communication pathway, which, like that of the pituitary portal system, could allow neurosecretions to reach nearby target sites in OVLT, avoiding dilution in the systemic blood. In both of these brain portal pathways, the target sites relay signals broadly to both the brain and the rest of the body.

"One-and-a-Half" Interdural Transcavernous Pituitary Transposition/Rotation for Protection of Hypophyseal Portal System in Adult Peripheral Retroinfundibular Craniopharyngioma.

Craniopharyngiomas originate from the pituitary stalk (PS) and extend along the pituitary-hypothalamic axis. Peripheral retroinfundibular craniopharyngiomas, particularly, may have worse surgery outcomes than other types. This study aims to investigate the advantage of using "one-and-a-half" interdural transcavernous pituitary transposition/rotation to dissect the tumor from the residual stalk and hypophyseal portal system for this subtype of craniopharyngioma. From August 2018 to February 2023, patients with peripheral retroinfundibular craniopharyngioma underwent surgical treatment. We analyzed clinical information, surgical records, imaging, and examination findings. The surgical procedure, including "one-and-a-half" interdural transcavernous pituitary transposition and rotation, was explained. Postoperative follow-up included endocrinological tests, MRI examinations, and urination surveys. Among the 52 patients diagnosed with craniopharyngioma who underwent surgical treatment, 9 were classified as peripheral retroinfundibular craniopharyngioma, and they received "one-and-a-half" interdural transcavernous pituitary transposition and stalk rotation. In 6 cases, the residual PS and most of the hypophyseal portal system were preserved. Gross total resection was achieved in 5 patients and near total resection in 1 patient. One patient had a transection of the bilateral inferior hypophyseal arteries and 5 unilaterally. None experienced permanent diabetes insipidus, but varying degrees of anterior pituitary dysfunction postoperatively required hormone replacement therapy, which gradually decreased over time. The natural anatomic corridor, "one-and-a-half" interdural transcavernous pituitary transposition, and stalk rotation provide increased working space compared with intradural or extradural pituitary transposition. Simultaneously rotating the tumor and pituitary enables a specific attack angle for lesion dissection after the anteriorly displaced residual stalk is rotated laterally. This approach preserves the residual PS and hypophyseal portal system, avoiding complications of diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism. In most cases, only one side of the inferior hypophyseal artery needs to be sacrificed, ensuring normal pituitary function.

Memories of our research on the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system.

Memories of our research on the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system.

FERTILITY FACTORS. D-HORMONE IN PREVENTION OF REPRODUCOPATHIES CAUSED BY BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (Literature review)

In accordance with the statistical data, the spreading of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing, because modern stressful lifestyle causes sex hormones disbalances and other dyshormonal conditions which lead to pathologies’ development at younger ages. The pathogenesis of BPH is connected with disturbances of regulation in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system and with the changes of the regulatory signals intensity which go to the reproductive organs. The central pathogenic links of this pathology’ development are: the declining of efficacy of hypothalamus functioning regulation which carries out on the basis of feedback; the changes of the pituitary gland cells sensitivity to the releasing hormones of hypothalamus and disbalance of sex hormones. In addition to gonadotropins prolactin has a significant impact on the BPH development. Its hypersecretion causes the development of hyperplastic age-related changes in prostate gland. The introduction of dopamine receptors antagonists such as sulpiride causes the increasing of prolactin concentration and declining of gonadotropins releasing. “Sulpiride model” is broadly used in the experimental endocrinology for studying prostate-active drugs and is characterized by sex hormones disbalance' and inflammation processes’ development. The development of the pathology is linked with the disturbance of testosterone synthesis in the testicles, insufficiency of prostate gland functioning and increasing of prolactin and estradiol concentrations which provoke proliferative changes. The androgens disbalance is the main cause of BHP development, therefore, the “Testosterone model” based on testosterone’ and estradiol’ slow releasing implants is broadly used for modeling of urination disturbance in rats which imitates the same condition in elderly men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The prostatitis, which developed under the condition of BHP, causes the disturbances of spermatogenesis during experimental modeling and in the clinical practice when spermatopathies, sexual disturbances and hypofertility are diagnosed in patients. The traditional BHP therapeutic methods are not always effective and the new therapeutic approaches of hypofertility caused by prostate gland pathologies are developed by investigators. Thus, there are data about correlation between increased vitamin D consumption and decreasing of BHP spreading, between gland volume and cells proliferation in patients with this pathology. Vitamin D level influences the quantity and quality of ejaculate. The deficiency of vitamin D is associated with lower proportion of sex hormones in young men and choriogonin sensitivity of Leydig's cells to be diminished. It has been experimentally shown that cholecalciferol regulates steroid hormones genesis, mitigates the age-related declining of testicles activity, protects the testicles in old animals and the unchanged spermatogenesis in normal males which received vitamin D3 can be considered to be the result of estrogens and androgens balance. The androgens receptors as well as vitamin D receptors have been found in prostate gland in health males and in those with hyperplasia. In addition to its classical function in calcium homeostasis and bones health, vitamin D inhibits tumor growth in different tissues including prostate gland. Vitamin D metabolites have been determined to be anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic and antiproliferative. D-hormone application potentiates the specific properties of prostate gland protectors, recovers reproductive capacity under the condition of experimental chronic prostatitis of inflammatory genesis as well as traumatic. All facts listed above allow to confirm the positive role of D-hormone in the regulation of prostate gland and reproductive function in patients with BHP and recovering of fertility under the condition of this pathology. The literature search for this review has been carried out on databases PubMed, Science Direct, Europa PMC, BMC, MedLine etc.

Parallel trajectories in the discovery of the SCN-OVLT and pituitary portal pathways: Legacies of Geoffrey Harris.

A map of central nervous system organization based on vascular networks provides a layer of organization distinct from familiar neural networks or connectomes. As a well-established example, the capillary networks of the pituitary portal system enable a route for small amounts of neurochemical signals to reach local targets by traveling along specialized pathways, thereby avoiding dilution in the systemic circulation. The first evidence of such a pathway in the brain came from anatomical studies identifying a portal pathway linking the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Almost a century later, we demonstrated a vascular portal pathway that joined the capillary beds of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and a circumventricular organ, the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, in a mouse brain. For each of these portal pathways, the anatomical findings opened many new lines of inquiry, including the determination of the direction of flow of information, the identity of the signal that flowed along this pathway, and the function of the signals that linked the two regions. Here, we review landmark steps to these discoveries and highlight the experiments that reveal the significance of portal pathways andmore generally, the implications of morphologically distinct nuclei sharing capillary beds.

A procedure in mice to obtain intact pituitary-infundibulum-hypothalamus preparations: a method to evaluate the reconstruction of hypothalamohypophyseal system.

The histopathological study of brain tissue is a common method in neuroscience. However, efficient procedures to preserve the intact hypothalamic-pituitary brain specimens are not available in mice for histopathological study. We describe a detailed procedure for obtaining mouse brain with pituitary-hypothalamus continuity. Unlike the traditional methods, we collect the brain via a ventral approach. We cut the intraoccipital synchondrosis, transection the endocranium of pituitary, broke the spheno-occipital synchondrosis, expose the posterior edge of pituitary, separate the trigeminal nerve, then the intact pituitary gland was preserved. We report an more effective and practical method to obtain continuous hypothalamus -pituitary preparations based on the preserve of leptomeninges. Our procedure effectively protects the integrity of the fragile infundibulum preventing the pituitary from separating from the hypothalamus. This procedure is more convenient and efficient. We present a convenient and practical procedure to obtain intact hypothalamic-pituitary brain specimens for subsequent histopathological evaluation in mice.

Juvenile social isolation affects the structure of the tanycyte–vascular interface in the hypophyseal portal system of the adult mice

Accumulating evidence indicates that social stress in the juvenile period affects hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity in adulthood. The biological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate them by comparing adult mice that had experienced social isolation from postnatal day 21–35 (juvenile social isolation (JSI) group) with those reared normally (control group). JSI group mice showed an attenuated HPA response to acute swim stress, while the control group had a normal response to this stress. Activity levels of the paraventricular nucleus in both groups were comparable, as shown by c-Fos immunoreactivities and mRNA expression of c-Fos, Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), Glucocorticoid receptor, and Mineralocorticoid receptor. We found greater vascular coverage by tanycytic endfeet in the median eminence of the JSI group mice than in that of the control group mice under basal condition and after acute swim stress. Moreover, CRF content after acute swim stress was greater in the median eminence of the JSI group mice than in that of the control group mice. The attenuated HPA response to acute swim stress was specific to JSI group mice, but not to control group mice. Although a direct link awaits further experiments, tanycyte morphological changes in the median eminence could be related to the HPA response.

Influence of arginine vasopressin on the ultradian dynamics of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis.

Numerous studies on humans and animals have indicated that the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) stimulate both individually and synergistically secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by corticotropic cells in anterior pituitary. With aim to characterize and better comprehend the mechanisms underlying the effects of AVP on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis ultradian dynamics, AVP is here incorporated into our previously proposed stoichiometric model of HPA axis in humans. This extended nonlinear network reaction model took into account AVP by: reaction steps associated with two separate inflows of AVP into pituitary portal system, that is synthesized and released from hypothalamic parvocellular and magnocellular neuronal populations, as well as summarized reaction steps related to its individual and synergistic action with CRH on corticotropic cells. To explore the properties of extended model and its capacity to emulate the effects of AVP, nonlinear dynamical systems theory and bifurcation analyses based on numerical simulations were utilized to determine the dependence of ultradian oscillations on rate constants of the inflows of CRH and AVP from parvocellular neuronal populations, the conditions under which dynamical transitions occur due to their synergistic action and, moreover, the types of these transitions. The results show that under certain conditions, HPA system could enter into oscillatory dynamic states from stable steady state and vice versa under the influence of synergy reaction rate constant. Transitions between these dynamical states were always through supercritical Andronov-Hopf bifurcation point. Also, results revealed the conditions under which amplitudes of ultradian oscillations could increase several-fold due to CRH and AVP synergistic stimulation of ACTH secretion in accordance with results reported in the literature. Moreover, results showed experimentally observed superiority of CRH as a stimulator of ACTH secretion compared to AVP in humans. The proposed model can be very useful in studies related to the role of AVP and its synergistic action with CRH in life-threatening circumstances such as acute homeostasis dynamic crisis, autoimmune inflammations or severe hypovolemia requiring instant or several-days sustained corticosteroid excess levels. Moreover, the model can be helpful for investigations of indirect AVP-induced HPA activity by exogenously administered AVP used in therapeutic treatment.

Relationship between postoperative hypothalamic injury and water and sodium disturbance in patients with craniopharyngioma: A retrospective study of 178 cases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between postoperative hypothalamo–hypophyseal injury (HHI) and postoperative water and sodium disturbances in patients with craniopharyngioma.MethodsThe medical records, radiological data, and laboratory results of 178 patients (44 children and 134 adults) who underwent microsurgery for craniopharyngioma in a single center were reviewed. Postoperative HHI was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. Structural defects of the hypothalamo–hypophyseal system (pituitary, pituitary stalk, floor and lateral wall of the third ventricle) were assessed in four standard T1-weighted images. The defect of each structure was assigned 1 score (0.5 for the unilateral injury of the third ventricle wall), and a HHI score was calculated.ResultsThe number of patients with HHI scores of 0-1, 2, 2.5-3, and >3 was 35, 49, 61, and 33, respectively. Diabetes insipidus (DI) worsened in 56 (31.5%) patients with preoperative DI, while 119 (66.9%) patients were diagnosed with new-onset DI. Hypernatremia and hyponatremia developed in 127 (71.3%) and 128 (71.9%) patients after surgery, respectively. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis occurred in 97(54.5%) patients. During hospitalization, hypernatremia recurred in 33 (18.5%) patients and in 54 (35.7%) during follow-up, of which 18 (11.9%) were severe. DI persisted in 140 (78.7%) patients before discharge. No relationship was found between the HHI score and incidence of early DI, hyponatremia, syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone, or prolonged DI. Compared with patients with a score of 0–1, those with scores =2.5-3 (OR = 5.289, 95% CI:1.098-25.477, P = 0.038) and >3 (OR = 10.815, 95% CI:2.148-54.457, P = 0.004) had higher risk of developing recurrent hypernatremia. Patients with a score >3 had higher risk of developing severe hypernatremia during hospitalization (OR = 15.487, 95% CI:1.852-129.539, P = 0.011) and at follow-up (OR = 28.637, 95% CI:3.060-267.981, P = 0.003).ConclusionsThe neuroimaging scoring scale is a simple tool to semi-quantify HHI after surgery. Recurrent and severe hypernatremia should be considered in patients with a high HHI score (>2.5). An HHI score >3 is a potential predictor of adipsic DI development. Preventive efforts should be implemented in the perioperative period to reduce the incidence of potentially catastrophic complications.

Hormone supply to the pituitary gland: A comprehensive investigation of female‑related tumors (Review).

The hypothalamus acts on the pituitary gland after signal integration, thus regulating various physiological functions of the body. The pituitary gland includes the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis, which differ in structure and function. The hypothalamus-hypophysis axis controls the secretion of adenohypophyseal hormones through the pituitary portal vein system. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, gonadotropin, growth hormone (GH), and prolactin (PRL) are secreted by the adenohypophysis and regulate the functions of the body in physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of this review was to summarize the functions of female-associated hormones (GH, PRL, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone) in tumors. Their pathophysiology was described and the mechanisms underlying female hormone-related diseases were investigated.

Patient with hypogonadism and infertility successfully treated with clomiphene citrate

We described 59-year-old men with history of secondary/tertiary hypogonadism, without primary hypothyroidism, elevated prolactin or hemochromatosis with structurally intact hypothalamo- hypophyseal (HT-HP) axis who was diagnosed in 2017. He was treated by different physicians with Testosterone intramuscular injections, hCG intramuscular injections and combination of hCG and FSH intramuscular injections. The patients wanted to have another child and this is why his therapy was changed from testosterone to hCG and later on to hCG and FSH injections three times a week by his urologist. Although his testosterone levels increased his semen analysis showed oligospermia. The patient was not very compliant with his Testosterone, hCG/hCG and FSH injections, because of the discomfort of intramuscular injections. This is why we started the patient from the therapy with hCG and FSH intramuscularly to Clomiphene citrate (CC) 25 mg per mouth every other day in 2021. After eight months therapy with CC the patient semen analysis normalized, Total and Free testosterone levels normalized, LH and FSH increased, his libido, morning erections improved and his erectile dysfunction resolved. Most importantly for the patient his wife become pregnant. With this case we emphasize the role of Clomiphene citrate in treating male hypogonadism if the patients desire fertility.

A full-system study of neuroendocrine regulation of fish reproduction

The participation of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system (HHNS) in the initiation of energy-consuming migration and spawning behaviors and the completion of spawning by suppressing the hyperactivity of the target glands, which ensures the body transition to energy-saving plastic metabolism was established by ecological-histophysiological full-system studies. The analysis of the HHNS key role in these processes made it possible to develop a constructive working scheme for the neuroendocrine integration of fish reproduction on the principle of self-regulation. In order to increase the fish factory reproduction biotech efficiency new methods for controlling of its biotechnology have been developed on this basis. The technology of preparation and the results of industrial tests of the effectiveness pituitary preparations developed to enhance fish maturation: isolated anterior and posterior pituitary lobes (APL and PPL) of the pituitary gland are presented in this part of the research. The increase degree of the of fish farming producers use average of 15% was proved by production (industrial) tests of the effectiveness of the use of the drug APL at sturgeon fish breeding plants of the lower rivers Volga and Don. To increase the effectiveness of the drug APL usage, its dependence on the degree of preparedness of females for puberty and ovulation was established by the most objective assessment of their individual fish-breeding qualities by the degree of the oocyte nucleus polarization. The most important indicators of the producers physiological state and offspring are stored after the use of APL not only within the production norm, but also qualitatively exceed the “control” — the whole pituitary gland. In order to avoid significant production loss of pituitary dry matter (especially when removing PPL) and the high consumption (35–40%) of the pituitary glands to stimulate the maturation of fish males a “Method for stimulating puberty of male fish” by the isolated posterior pituitary lobe was developed, providing waste-free technology for the preparation and usage of both drugs. Possible prospects for improving methods of stimulating sexual maturity of fish breeders are discussed.

Effects of meteorin-like hormone on endocrine function of hypothalamo-hypophysial system and peripheral uncoupling proteins in rats.

Meteorin-like hormone (Metrnl) is a peptide secreted from the adipose tissue and modulates the whole-body energy metabolism. Metrnl release into the circulation is influenced by obesity, cold exposure, and exercise. Thyroid hormones also exert many of their effects on metabolism through uncoupling proteins (UCPs). This study aimed to determine effect of Metrnl on hypothalamo-hypophysier-thyroid axis and energy metabolism and reveal the possible involvement of UCPs in this process. Fourty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 animals in each group: control, sham, 10 and 100nM Metrnl. Hypothalamus, muscle, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) samples were collected to detect thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), and UCP1 and UCP3 protein levels by western blot analysis. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormone levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Central infusion of Metrnl caused significant increase in serum TSH, T3 and T4 levels compared to control (p < 0.05). After Metrnl treatment, there were significant increases in TRH in hypothalamus tissue, UCP1 in WAT and BAT; and UCP3 protein in the muscle tissue (p < 0.05). The findings that Metrnl induced increases in the peripheral UCPs and hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis hormones implicate a role for this hormone in body energy homeostasis through UCP-mediated mechanisms.

HORMONAL FUNCTION OF ADENOHYPOPHISIS

This article discusses hormonal function of adenohypophysis, which produces a number of hormones that regulate the growth of the child. The production of adenohypophysis hormones, in turn, depends on liberins and statins, hormones of the hypothalamus that enter the pituitary portal system.

Pituitary Metastasis Presenting With Central Diabetes Insipidus and Panhypopituitarism

Abstract Background: Metastatic involvement of the pituitary gland and infundibular stalk is rare, accounting for about 2% of all diagnosed pituitary masses. Although primary tumors from almost every organ have been reported, breast and lung cancers are the most common primary tumors to metastasize to the pituitary gland. The clinical presentation varies and can include headache, visual impairment, diabetes insipidus, and panhypopituitarism. The posterior lobe of the pituitary is more susceptible to metastatic involvement than the anterior lobe due to its direct blood supply from the systemic circulation, whereas the anterior lobe is supplied by the hypophyseal portal system. Additionally, the smaller posterior lobe can be destroyed with less metastatic volume, allowing for earlier manifestation of symptoms. Clinical Case: An 81-year-old woman with a history of Stage IIA ER+ IDC of the left breast status post lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection in 1999 followed by mastectomy in 2009 due to local recurrence presented with confusion for two weeks. At the time, she had known lung metastases and was on palliative chemotherapy. CT head showed a 1.8 cm and 2.3 cm calvarial lytic lesion in the right occipital bone and at the vertex, respectively. MRI brain/pituitary revealed a well-circumscribed, enhancing suprasellar mass measuring 9 x 10 mm likely involving the pituitary infundibulum and hypothalamus with mass effect on the optic chiasm. Laboratory results were consistent with secondary adrenal insufficiency, central hypothyroidism, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Prolactin was mildly elevated due to stalk effect. The patient also had hypernatremia and inappropriately low urine osmolality, which nearly tripled after administration of desmopressin, confirming central diabetes insipidus. She was subsequently started on hydrocortisone, levothyroxine, and desmopressin. Laboratory Results: Prolactin 30.47 (reference range 4.79-23.3 mIU/mL), IGF-1 88 (17-193 ng/mL), 7am ACTH 3.4 (7.2-63.3 pg/mL), 7am cortisol 0.6 (6.2-29 µg/dL), TSH 3.03 (0.47-6.9 U/L), FT4 0.351 (0.75-2 ng/dL), FSH 0.2 (25.8-134.8 mIU/mL), LH &amp;lt;0.1 (7.7-58.5 mIU/mL), estradiol &amp;lt;5 (5-138 pg/mL); before desmopressin: Na 154 (reference range 135-145 mEq/L), urine osm 162 (50-1,200 mOsm/kg); after desmopressin: Na 143 (reference range 135-145 mEq/L), urine osm 469 (50-1,200 mOsm/kg) Conclusion: While pituitary metastases remain rare, their prevalence is expected to increase due to more sensitive biochemical tests and imaging techniques coupled with advances in cancer therapy that help patients with metastatic disease live longer. Interesting in our case is the patient’s age, which is significantly older than the median age reported in the literature, and her presentation with total anterior and posterior pituitary insufficiency after a prolonged oncologic course marked by progression of disease.

A full-system study of neuroendocrine regulation of fish reproduction. 1. Development biotech management principles of artificial fish reproduction on the basis of the ecologo-histophysiological scientific approach

A completed full-system (scientific-applied) ecological-histophysiological study of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system (HHNS) participation in fish reproduction was established. With the help of light-, electron-microscopy and immunocytochemistry it is established for the first time that at the beginning migrations of passing fish there is a mass accumulation of neurosecretory products in neurohypophysis, which indicates to the inhibition of the normal level of their excretion into the bloodstream. At the same time, they are actively synthesized in the pericarions of the neurosecretory cells in the preoptic nucleus and excretioned into the cavity of the III brain ventricle. Firstly it is a sign of a violation of their basic osmoregulatory function, which should cause a change in habitat. Secondly, the synchronous excretion of neurohormones into the brain’s liquor should cause their neurotropic effect on the CNS behavior centers in the form of a dominant state of arousal in the form of “migration impulse”. At the beginning of spawning, regardless of its season, HHNS also initiates spawning behavior and completes spawning by participating in the body’s protective-adaptive reactions to natural physiological stress. The functional role of the HHNS in fish reproduction is to initiate energy-intensive reproductive processes of migratory and spawning behaviors, and to complete spawning by suppressing the hyperactivity of the target glands, which ensures the body’s transition to energy-saving plastic exchange. The analysis of this key role of HHNS in the integration of fish reproduction by the principle of self-regulation has allowed to define the principles of effective reproduction and cultivation fish management, primarily in the form of finding the most effective impacts on the centers of integration of managed functions or modeling their effects, which should be carried out in natural periods of functional lability of the body. A constructive working scheme neuroendocrine integration of fish reproduction has been presented and the possibility of applying method of comparative analysis to further develop the system management biotechnics of fish populations reproduction is considered.

The Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System: Age and Major Noncommunicable Diseases (malignant neoplasms of hormonedependent tissues, cardiovascular, and type 2 diabetes mellitus)

This review presents basic data on the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system (HHS) and its main components; the role of age (with the focus on aging) is discussed as a factor linked with changes in the state of the HHS and mediating its involvement in “preparative” predisposition to various major chronic noncommunicable diseases in humans (in particular, such neoplasms as cancer of the breast, endometrium, and prostate; ischemic heart disease as the leading cardiovascular pathology; type 2 diabetes mellitus) with the involvement of this major hormonal-metabolic system via obesity, insulin resistance, and decreased glucose tolerance, as well as the interaction of insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, and their receptors and effects on the reproductive and hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system. Data are presented on links between HHS subsystems in stress conditions, impairments to physiological rhythms, and in response to the gender factor. This review presents information on possible measures to prevent the main noncommunicable diseases based on consideration of the role of the HHS and the outcomes of impairments to its functioning. The review also addresses the fact that along with the widely accepted similarity in the hormonal-metabolic factors creating a platform for the development of the main noncommunicable diseases, there are examples of nonsimilarity, a point which requires further research.

The development system of biotech management of reproduction fish populations based on neuroendocrinological research

The participation of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system (HHNS) in fish reproduction was established by ecologo-histophysiological research with the help of light-, electronmicroscopy and immunocytochemistry. At the beginning of migrations of passing fish an active synthesis of neurosecretory products in pericarions of neurosecretory cells and their excretion into the cavity of the III brain ventricle was stated, while a mass accumulation of them in neurohypophysis occurs. Firstly, the excretion of neurohormones into the brain’s liquor should cause their neurotropic effect on the CNS behavior centers in the form of a dominant state of arousal, designated as “migration impulse”. Then HHNS initiates spawning behavior at the beginning of spawning and completes it by participating in overcoming natural physiological stress. In fish reproduction the main functional role of HHNS is to initiate reproductive energy-intensive processes of migratory and spawning behaviors, and to completion spawning by suppressing the hyperactivity of the target glands, ensuring the body’s transition to energysaving plastic metabolic exchange. The analysis of the key role of HHNS in fish reproduction has allowed to present a constructive working scheme of its neuroendocrine integration by the principle of self-regulation and to develop, on this basis, the system management of biotech reproduction of fish populations.

Development of the hypothalamo–hypophyseal system in amphibians with special reference to metamorphosis

In this review article, topics of the embryonic origin of the adenohypophysis and hypothalamus and the development of the hypothalamo–hypophyseal system for the completion of metamorphosis in amphibians are included. The primordium of the adenohypophysis as well as the primordium of the hypothalamus in amphibians is of neural origin as shown in other vertebrates, and both are closely associated with each other at the earliest stage of development. Metamorphosis progresses via the interaction of thyroid hormone and adrenal corticosteroids, of which secretion is enhanced by thyrotropin and corticotropin, respectively. However, unlike in mammals, the hypothalamic releasing factor for thyrotropin is not thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), but corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the major releasing factor for corticotropin is arginine vasotocin (AVT). Prolactin, the release of which is profoundly enhanced by TRH at the metamorphic climax, is another pituitary hormone involved in metamorphosis. Prolactin has a dual role: modulation of the metamorphic speed and the development of organs for adult life. The secretory activities of the pituitary cells containing the three above-mentioned pituitary hormones are elevated toward the metamorphic climax in parallel with the activities of the CRF, AVT, and TRH neurons.

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) distribution in the brain of the ancient fish Atractosteus tropicus (Holostei, Lepisosteiformes)

The Holostei group occupies a critical phylogenetic position as the sister group of the Teleostei. However, little is known about holostean pituitary anatomy or brain distribution of important reproductive neuropeptides, such as the gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH). Thus, the present study set out to characterize the structure of the pituitary and to localize GnIH-immunoreactive cells in the brain of Atractosteus tropicus from the viewpoint of comparative neuroanatomy. Juveniles of both sexes were processed for general histology and immunohistochemistry. Based on the differences in cell organization, morphology, and staining properties, the neurohypophysis and three regions in the adenohypophysis were identified: the rostral and proximal pars distalis (PPD) and the pars intermedia. This last region was found to be innervated by the neurohypophysis. This organization, together with the presence of a saccus vasculosus, resembles the general teleost pituitary organization. A vast number of blood vessels were also recognized between the infundibulum floor of the hypothalamus and the PPD, evidencing the characteristic presence of a median eminence and a portal system. However, this well-developed pituitary portal system resembles that of tetrapods. As regards the immunohistochemical localization of GnIH, we found four GnIH-immunoreactive (GnIH-ir) populations in three hypothalamic nuclei (suprachiasmatic, retrotuberal, and tuberal nuclei) and one in the diencephalon (prethalamic nucleus), as well as a few scattered neurons throughout the olfactory bulbs, the telencephalon, and the intersection between them. GnIH-ir fibers showed a widespread distribution over almost all brain regions, suggesting that GnIH function is not restricted to reproduction only. In conclusion, the present study describes, for the first time, the pituitary of A. tropicus and the neuroanatomical localization of GnIH in a holostean fish that exhibits a similar distribution pattern to that of teleosts and other vertebrates, suggesting a high degree of phylogenetic conservation of this system.