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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Immunocytochemical identification of adenohypophyseal cells in the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), an Amazonian basal teleost

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Author(s):
Borella, M. I. [1] ; Venturieri, R. [1] ; Mancera, J. M. [2]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Biol Celular & Desenvolvimento, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Cadiz, Fac Ciencias Mar & Ambientales, Dept Biol, Cadiz 11510 - Spain
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY; v. 35, n. 1, p. 3-16, MAR 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 11
Abstract

The adenohypophysis (AH) of juvenile pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), a representative species of the Osteoglossomorpha (bonytongue fishes, one of the oldest living groups of the teleosts), was studied using histochemical and immunocytochemical methods. The AH is comprised of the pars distalis (PD), without a clear distinction between rostral pars distalis (RPD) and proximal pars distalis (PPD), and the pars intermedia (PI). The neurohypophysis (NH) is positioned on top of the PD and penetrates and branches into the PI. In the most rostral dorsal portion of the PD, adrenocorticotropic cells and fusiform gonadotropic cells were found. In the central PD, scarce prolactin-producing cells and growth-hormone-producing cells were located mainly in the dorsal part, whereas round gonadotropic cells were abundant in the ventral portion of this region. Human thyrotropin immunoreactive cells were not found in the entire AH. In the PI, melanotropic, some adrenocorticotropic, and somatolactin-producing cells were located intermingled surrounding the neurohypophyseal branches. Our results showed that the A. gigas pituitary has some basal characteristics between the ancient Actinopterygii and the more derived teleosts. (AU)