Growth hormone-releasing hormone immunoreactivity in the brain, pituitary, and pineal of the goldfish, Carassius auratus

Using antisera directed against carp growth hormone-releasing hormone (cGHRH), the distribution of immunoreactive (ir) structures in the brain, pituitary, and pineal of the goldfish, Carassius auratus, was investigated. The antisera were produced in rabbits by administration of cGHRH(1-44)-NH2 followed by cGHRH(1-45)-OH for different periods of time, both coupled to human alpha-globulins via bisdiazotized benzidine as immunogen. Immunoreactive perikarya were visualized in the nucleus preopticus periventricularis (NPP), nucleus lateralis tuberis (NLT), nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (NLL), and the pineal. The preoptic area and area ventralis telencephali seemed to receive innervation from the NPP cells. The fibers of the NLT cell bodies extended caudally along the infundibular floor and innervated the hypophysis. The processes of the NLL perikarya extended rostrally along the lateral lemniscus, curved ventrally along the outer margin of the glomerular nuclear complex, and extended to the dorsal area of the lateral recess, while issuing fascicles that branched off and fanned out to innervate extensively the nucleus diffusus of the hypothalamic inferior lobes and the nucleus lateralis tori; several fiber bundles branched off and extended toward the lateral areas of the paraventricular organ area and even into the rostral region of the hypothalamic inferior lobes. A small percentage of the corticotrophs of the rostral pars distalis, a few cells in the central area of the pars intermedia (PI), and neurohypophysial fibers in the peripheral area of the PI of the pituitary gland had colocalization of GHRH-ir; GHRH-ir fibers in the rostral and proximal pars distalis were sparse. It is suggested that the GHRH-ir perikarya of the diencephalon may stimulate growth hormone release either by modulating the activity of somatotrophs or of other hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons. The innervation of the hypothalamic inferior lobe by GHRH-ir perikarya of the NLL suggests some influence on feeding processes. Presence of GHRH in the pineal implies involvement in some daily cyclic activity. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.