Origin Of The SP-, CGRP-Immunreactive Nerve Fibers And Relationship Between The GAP-43 Immunoreactive Nerve Fibers And The Gland Cells In The Anterior Pitutiary Of The Rat.

It is well known that the Harris' humoral theory to regulate mammalian anterior pituitary is the cornerstone of the neuroendocrinology The hypophysitropic neurons in the hypothalamus release their hormones at the median eminence, which are then carried down the portal vessels to the anterior pituitary to regulate the function of the gland cells. The gland cells of the anterior pituitary are not innervated directly by the nerve fibers In recent decade, however, a substantial amount of SP-, CGRP-, GAL-, TH-, CHAT-, and GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers were identified in the anterior pituitary of several mammalian species including human in our laboratory by using immunohistochemical method. These nerve fibers were found to be in close relationship with the anterior pituitary gland cells, and even make typical synaptic contacts with them. It was testified that not only the nerve fibers existed in the anterior pituitary, but they might influence the function of the anterior pitutiary by synapses. Moreover, these nerve fibers...