Chifumi Yamada

Immunohistochemical investigation of urotensins in the caudal spinal cord of four species of elasmobranchs and the lamprey, Lampetra japonica.

SummaryIn the four species of elasmobranchs examined (Triakis scyllia, Heterodontus japonicus, Scyliorhinus torazame, Dasyatis akajei), all identifiable caudal neurosecretory cells and their corresponding neurohemal areas showed urotensin II (UII)-immunoreactivity with varied intensity. To localize urotensin I (UI) in the caudal neurosecretory system of the dogfish, Triakis scyllia, h-CRF (1–20) antiserum that cross-reacts with UI was used in place of UI antiserum. CRF/UI-immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the neurosecretory cells and neurohemal areas. A considerable number of neurons showed both UII- and CRF/UI-immunoreactivities, suggesting that UII and UI are produced in the same neurosecretory cells. However, some neurons exhibited UII-immunoreactivity, but no CRF/UI-immunoreactivity. Cells immunoreactive only to CRF antiserum were not detected. At least two populations of neurons exist in the dogfish caudal neurosecretory system: (i) cells immunoreactive for both CRF/UI and UII, and (ii) cells immunoreactive for UII. The dorsal cells of the lamprey, Lampetra japonica, did not react with either UII or CRF antiserum.

Immunohistochemical localization of urotensin I and other neuropeptides in the caudal neurosecretory system of three species of teleosts and two species of elasmobranchs.

SummaryIn three species of teleosts — carp Cyprinus carpio; grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella; and crucian carp Carassius auratus — the caudal neurosecretory system displays small, medium-sized and large neurons. Urotensin I (UI)-immunoreactive and UI-nonreactive neurons were found in all three groups; in general, the number of the latter neurons exceeded that of the former. Noteworthy are: (i) UI-immunoreactive fibers in the caudal spinal cord and (ii) dense accumulations of UI-immunoreactive product around the capillaries of the urophysis. In two species of elasmobranchs — cat shark Heterodontus japonicas and swell shark Cephaloscyllium umbratile — neurosecretory neurons decreased in size in rostro-caudal direction. Most of the neurosecretory perikarya, their axons and the corresponding neurohemal areas were UI-immunoreactive, but a small number of secretory neurons was devoid of immunoreaction. Oxytocin, arginine vasopressin, substance P, somatostatin, neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and gastrin-releasing peptide were not detected in the caudal neurosecretory system of the carp.

Immunoreactive methionine-enkephalin in the caudal neurosecretory system of the carp, Cyprinus carpio

SummaryMethionine-enkephalin (Met-enk) was detected by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay in the caudal neuro-secretory system of the carp Cyprinus carpio. Some cells showing urotensin I (UI)-immunoreactivity reacted to Met-enk antiserum, but others did not. Neurons with urotensin II (UII)-immunoreactivity did not react to Met-enk antiserum; neurons with both UI and UII immunoreactivities also displayed a negative Met-enk reaction. Met-enk was detected by radioimmunoassay in the urophysis, although the content was relatively small compared with that found in other parts of the central nervous system and in the pituitary.