Vascularization of the hypothalamo-hypophysial complex in Japanese elasmobranchs: a scanning electron microscope study of blood vascular casts

Abstract

To study in detail vascularization in the hypothalamo-hypophysial complex in some Japanese elasmobranchs, injection casts of blood vessels were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Materials used were a gummy shark (Mustelus manazo), a cloudy dogfish (Scyliorhinus torazame) and a skate (Raja porosa). The vascular supply to the hypothalamo-hypophysial region of the elasmobranchs is carried out by the inferior hypothalamic arteries and their branches that originate from the internal carotid artery. In the gummy shark, a pair of inferior hypothalamic arteries send several branches to the median eminence running along the anterolateral sides of the distal adenohypophysis. These branches form the capillary plexus, displaying anastomosis and convolution at the ventral surface of the median eminence. The plexus assumes capillary glomeruli at the lateral region of the posterior median eminence. Numerous branches derived from the plexus are directed backward through the pars distalis, join with the capillary net work (which develop in the neuro-intermediate lobe) and are finally gathered together to form a thick hypophysial vein. The ventral lobe receives several arterial branches from the internal carotid arteries and carotid artery to form a unique vascular bed. Therefore, it is assumed that in elasmobranchs the hypothalamic control of the ventral lobe is weaker than that of adenohypophysial components.