Existence of noradrenalin cells and serotonin cells in the pituitary gland of Rana catesbeiana

Abstract

The localization of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes [tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT)], of serotonin (5-HT), and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in the pituitary of bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), rat, hamster, and dog was examined by the immunofluorescence method. Many TH- and DBH-positive but PNMT-negative noradrenalin cells and 5-HT-positive serotonin cells were first observed in the pars distalis of the frog pituitary together with small numbers of ACTH-positive cells, in marked contrast to our previous findings that TH-positive but DBH-negative dopamine cells are rare in the anterior lobe of rat and dog pituitary. The entire population of cells of the pars intermedia showed a weak ACTH-like immunoreaction. Although most of these cells were TH- or 5-HT-negative, TH-positive but DBH-negative dopaminergic varicose fibers surrounded these cells. Among cells of the pars intermedia of the frog, 5-HT-positive cells with processes were also scattered. In the neural lobe, TH- and 5-HT-immunoreactive fibers were rarely seen.