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Biomedical subjects

M Schwanzel-Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to M Schwanzel-Fukuda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The migration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons from the medial olfactory placode into the medial basal forebrain.

Over the years, investigators have noticed, in a wide variety of species of vertebrates, large numbers of cells migrating from the olfactory placode to the forebrain. These cells were considered to be Schwann cells or ganglion cells of the terminalis nerve. Recently, immunocytochemical localization studies have shown that many of these migrating cells contain luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), a brain peptide that regulates reproductive functions by evoking the release of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary gland. The origin of LHRH cells in the epithelium of the medial olfactory placode, their migration across the nasal septum and into the forebrain, with branches of the terminalis nerve, also a derivative of the medial part of the olfactory placode, has led to some interesting speculations, from evolutionary and physiological perspectives, about the origin of these cells and the role of the terminalis nerve in their migration.

Animals↗

Synaptology of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-immunoreactive cells in the nervus terminalis of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica).

Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry were used to examine the structure of LHRH neurons and fibers in the nervus terminalis of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). LHRH-immunoreactive neurons and fibers form a loose plexus within the fascicular network of the ganglion terminale on the median surface of the olfactory bulb. There are at least two populations of LHRH-immunoreactive neurons within the network of the ganglion terminale: fusiform and round neurons similar to those described in the forebrain. At the ultrastructural level, axosomatic and axodendritic contacts were seen between LHRH-immunoreactive and nonimmunoreactive elements in the ganglion terminale. These contacts were classified as 1) synaptic input, with asymmetric synapses seen between a nonimmunoreactive axon terminal and a LHRH-immunoreactive cell body or a nonimmunoreactive axon terminal and a LHRH-immunoreactive dendritic process. 2) synaptic output, with symmetric synapses seen between LHRH-immunoreactive and nonimmunoreactive processes. This study is the first systematic examination of the ultrastructure of the LHRH-immunoreactive neurons and their synaptic contacts in the nervus terminalis. The possible integrative roles for this LHRH-immunoreactive system are discussed.

Animals↗

The luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) system in neonatally estradiol-feminized male gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica).

In this study, the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) system was examined in adult gray short-tailed opossums that had been treated with estradiol benzoate (EB) on days 1 and 3 of postnatal life, a treatment which results in complete block of testicular development. The finding that the organization of the LH-RH system in neonatally EB-treated males did not differ from that of neonatally untreated animals indicates that the LH-RH system can develop normally despite the absence of gonads throughout perinatal life.

Animals↗

The terminal nerve of dolphins: gross structure, histology and luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone immunocytochemistry.

The terminal nerve (TN) of several dolphins was examined using gross dissection aided by osmium staining, routine light and electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry with antibodies to mammalian luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). The TN consists of numerous pial strands which emanate from large paired ganglia located in the dura near the frontal lobe of the hemisphere. The strands are largely composed of myelinated axons which extend to basal forebrain areas including the anterior perforated substance. Peripheral branches of the ganglia run through foramina in the ethmoid bone into the region of the nasal sacs and blowhole. Round to oval ganglion cells are scattered along the nerve and thousands of similar cells are found in the dural ganglia where they are encapsulated by satellite cells. A second, less prevalent cell type is also found in the ganglia. These neurons are fusiform, lack a well-defined capsule and are LHRH-immunoreactive. The results are compared to observations of the anatomy and functions of the TN in other mammals, which unlike toothed whales have retained an olfactory system. Involvement in reproduction and control of secretions and/or circulation of the nasal sac vocalization system are suggested functions of the TN in dolphins.

Animals↗

Terminations of LHRH-immunoreactive fibers in the subfornical organ of the opossum: an ultrastructural study.

Electron microscopic immunocytochemical approaches were used to analyze LHRH-containing elements in the subfornical organ of the opossum, a species in which this input to the subfornical organ is prominent. Not only were LHRH synaptic specializations easily demonstrated in the subfornical organ, forming axo-dendritic and axo-axonal contacts, but also LHRH-immunoreactive fibers contacted astrocytic end-feet on fenestrated capillaries and were found in the subependymal layer. LHRH-carrying elements in the subfornical organ may be important for relating reproductive functions to body fluid balance.

Animals↗

Origin of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone neurons.

Neurons expressing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), found in the septal-preoptic nuclei and hypothalamus, control the release of gonadotropic hormones from the anterior pituitary gland and facilitate reproductive behaviour. LHRH-expressing neurons are also found in the nervus terminalis, a cranial nerve that is a part of the accessory olfactory system and which projects directly from the nose to the septal-preoptic nuclei in the brain. During development, LHRH-immunoreactivity is detected in the peripheral parts of the nervus terminalis before it is found in the brain. Using a combination of LHRH immunocytochemistry and tritiated thymidine autoradiography in fetal mice, we show that LHRH neurons originate in the medial olfactory placode of the developing nose, migrate across the nasal septum and enter the forebrain with the nervus terminalis, arching into the septal-preoptic area and hypothalamus. Clinically, this migratory route for LHRH-expressing neurons could explain the deficiency of gonadotropins seen in 'Kallmann's syndrome' (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with anosmia).

Animals↗

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-expressing cells do not migrate normally in an inherited hypogonadal (Kallmann) syndrome.

Kallmann syndrome inherited hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with anosmia, is associated with an X-chromosome deletion at Xp 22.3. In a Kallmann fetus, we have found an absence of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-expressing cells in the brain despite dense clusters of LHRH cells and fibers in the nose. LHRH-containing cells and neurites end in a tangle beneath the forebrain, within the dural layers of the meninges, on the dorsal surface of the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. Normal fetal brains, matched for age and sex, had LHRH cells and fibers, as expected, in the hypothalamus and preoptic area. Since LHRH-expressing cells recently were discovered to migrate from the olfactory placode into the brain, it appears that the hypogonadotropism of the Kallmann syndrome can be accounted for by a failure of LHRH cells to migrate into the brain.

Brain↗

Neuroanatomy and its clinical application.

In years prior, articles concerned with neuroanatomy have stressed just that, the anatomy. It is for this reason that this article was written. The primary intent addresses the clinical aspects of neuroanatomy, and as such, has stressed so-called "anatomic function." An overview of neuroanatomy as well as neural function and deficit is provided. The article is intended for both the student and practitioner in the hopes of taking the labor out of its study and replacing it with a logical approach to the neuroanatomy and its clinical applications.

Humans↗

Immunocytochemical localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in the brain and nervus terminalis of the adult and early neonatal gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica).

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was detected by immunocytochemical procedures in cells and fibers in the brain and in the nervus terminalis of the adult and neonatal gray, short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). As in several species of eutherian mammals, LHRH-immunoreactive cells and fibers were seen in the medial septal nuclei, nucleus, and tract of the diagonal band and olfactory tubercle. Surprisingly, few LHRH-immunoreactive cells were found in the hypothalamus or in the preoptic area in either the adult or neonate. LHRH-immunoreactive fibers were seen in these regions and were numerous in the median eminence. The nervus terminalis in the gray opossum showed several distinctive characteristics. Immunoreactive and nonreactive cells, in ganglia along the peripheral and intracranial course of this nerve, were accompanied by thick fascicles of LHRH fibers and frequently lay adjacent to blood vessels. No LHRH-immunoreactive branches of the nervus terminalis were found in contact with the vomeronasal nerves as they traversed the medial surfaces of the main olfactory bulbs en route to the accessory olfactory bulbs. The LHRH-immunoreactive fibers in the central roots of the nervus terminalis formed a compact bundle on either side of midline, which coursed obliquely from clusters of ganglion cells on the ventromedial surface of the olfactory bulbs into the septum. Traced through serial sagittal sections, LHRH-immunoreactive fibers, in continuity with those in the triangular nucleus of the septum, ran down and around the rostral face of the anterior commissure and fanned out into the medial preoptic area. As previously observed in the fetal guinea pig and rat, LHRH was detected in ganglion cells of the nervus terminalis of the newborn gray opossum preceding its detection in any other area of the brain.

Aging↗

Distribution of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in the nervus terminalis and brain of the mouse detected by immunocytochemistry.

Immunoreactive luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was localized in a relatively large number of ganglion cells and fibers of the nervus terminalis of neonatal and adult mice, indicating that this nerve is a substantial source of LHRH in the mouse brain. Whole-head specimens of neonatal mice, prior to calcification of the cranium, revealed an extensive distribution of LHRH neurons and fine fibers throughout the peripheral, intracranial, and central parts of the nervus terminalis. The most striking difference between the neonatal and adult animals, in the nervus terminalis, was the increase in immunoreactive axons that made up the fiber bundles of this nerve. In the adult mouse, the intracranial and central projections were composed of thick fascicles of immunoreactive axons, ensheathed by glial cells and accompanied by ganglia that contained both LHRH-reactive and nonimmunoreactive neurons. LHRH-immunoreactive cells and axons were seen in a branch of the nervus terminalis that coursed along the medial, posterodorsal aspect of the olfactory bulb and in branches of this nerve that accompany the vomeronasal nerves to the accessory olfactory bulb. A few LHRH neurons and many immunoreactive processes were seen in the accessory and main olfactory bulbs. LHRH-reactive neurons were seen in the hypothalamus and extrahypothalamic structures. Examination of adult mouse brains revealed a pattern of distribution and number of immunoreactive neurons similar to that seen in the neonate. However, many more LHRH-reactive axons were seen in all areas of the brain of the mature animal.

Age Factors↗

Passive immunization of fetal rats with antiserum to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) or transection of the central roots of the nervus terminalis does not affect rat pups' preference for home nest.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) is found immunocytochemically in cell bodies and fibers of the nervus terminalis, a cranial nerve which courses from the nasal septum through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone (medial to the olfactory and vomeronasal nerves) and enters the forebrain, caudal to the olfactory bulbs. Immunoreactive LHRH is first detected in the nervus terminalis of the fetal rat at 15 days of gestation, preceding its detection by immunocytochemistry in any other area of the brain, including the median eminence, and preceding detection of immunoreactive luteinizing hormone (LH) in the anterior pituitary. During development of the rat fetus, the nervus terminalis is the principal source of LHRH in the nervous system from days 15 through 19 of a 21 day gestation period. We tested the notion that the LHRH system of the nervus terminalis is important for olfactory performance by examining the effects of administration of antisera to LHRH during fetal development (versus saline controls), or medial olfactory peduncle transections, in the neonatal rat, which would sever the central projections of the nervus terminalis (versus lateral peduncle transection, complete transection of the olfactory peduncles and the central nervus terminalis or controls) on preferences of rat pups for home nest. The hypothesis that LHRH is important for this chemosensory response was not confirmed. Neither antisera to LHRH nor medical olfactory peduncle transection disrupted preference for home shavings. Only complete olfactory peduncle transection had a significant effect compared to unoperated and sham-operated controls.

Animals↗

Ontogenesis of neurons producing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in the nervus terminalis of the rat.

Immunoreactive luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was first detected at 15 days of gestation in ganglion cells associated with the peripheral, intracranial, and central parts of the nervus terminalis of the rat. LHRH was not detected in any other structure of the central nervous system at this age. In the 17-day-old fetal rat, 62% of the total LHRH-reactive neuronal population was found in ganglion cells of the nervus terminalis. At this same age, immunoreactive beta-luteinizing hormone (beta-LH) was first seen in gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary gland. At 19 days of gestation, 31% of the total number of LHRH-reactive neurons observed in the rat brain was found in the nervus terminalis, and immunoreactive processes were first seen in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and in the median eminence. Our data indicate that from 15 to 19 days of gestation the nervus terminalis is a principal source of LHRH in the fetal rat. Presence of the decapeptide in the nervus terminalis prior to appearance of beta-LH in the anterior pituitary suggests a possible role for LHRH in this system on maturation of the gonadotropes and differentiation of the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Animals↗

Localization of forebrain neurons which project directly to the medulla and spinal cord of the rat by retrograde tracing with wheat germ agglutinin.

Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in a slow-release polyacrylamide gel pellet was implanted in the medulla or spinal cord of the rat. Large numbers of retrogradely labeled cells were visualized by immunocytochemical procedures in specific nuclei of the forebrain mainly ipsilateral to the implant site following implants as far caudal as the sacral segments of the spinal cord. Total average number of labeled forebrain cells (three brains per category; 100 micron per 150 micron of brain tissue were examined microscopically): medulla, 2,115; cervical, 1,878; lumbar, 1,017; sacral, 385. After WGA-gel implants in the medulla or cervical cord the majority of retrogradely labeled neurons were seen in the lateral hypothalamic area, the zona incerta, and in subdivisions of the paraventricular nucleus. A continuum of labeled cells extended from the caudal part of the paraventricular nucleus into the posterior hypothalamus and into the central gray of the midbrain. Labeled cells were also seen in the medial basal hypothalamus and the rostral part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. A few labeled cells were observed in the medial and lateral preoptic areas, the rostral part of the paraventricular nucleus, and in the arcuate nucleus. Following WGA-gel implants in the lumbar or sacral cord many retrogradely labeled cells were observed mainly in the paraventricular nucleus, the lateral hypothalamus, zona incerta, medial basal hypothalamus, and posterior hypothalamic area. The continuum of labeled cells described above was also seen following these implants. Our data indicate that the lateral hypothalamus and zona incerta, as well as specific parts of the paraventricular nucleus, are major loci of neurons which project directly to the medulla and spinal cord of the rat. The consistency with which labeled cells were localized across all brains examined within categories of implant sites and the large numbers of labeled cells counted within these areas appeared to verify the sensitivity of our retrograde tracing method. Therefore, we interpret the paucity or absence of labeled cells in particular brain regions to indicate that cells of these regions do not project to the medulla or spinal cord.

Amygdala↗

Axonal projections and peptide content of steroid hormone concentrating neurons.

The axonal projections of cell groups containing the most dense collections of steroid hormone concentrating cells have been demonstrated with retrograde neuroanatomical tracing methods. Horseradish peroxidase revealed large numbers of neurons in ventrolateral ventromedial nucleus (VL-VM) which project to dorsal midbrain. Wheat germ agglutinin (immunocytochemical recognition method) revealed large numbers of neurons in medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and particular subdivisions of paraventricular nucleus (PVN) that project to dorsal caudal medulla or spinal cord. Fluorescent dyes revealed that many preoptic area (POA), anterior hypothalamic (AHA), and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) neurons project to ventral tegmental area of Tsai (VTA). Also many neurons in POA and BNST project to amygdala. A method which enabled simultaneous demonstration of the steroid binding capacity and axonal projections of neurons in the same tissue section revealed that 26-36% estradiol (E2) concentrating cells in VL-VM project to dorsal midbrain. E2 concentrating neurons in POA and BNST project to amygdala and E2 concentrating POA neurons project to VTA. These neurons, which send their axons to cell groups located in different brain regions, are probably under the genomic-regulatory influence of E2. Using a method which allows simultaneous demonstration of peptide content and steroid hormone concentrating capacity of cells, many oxytocin-neurophysin and vasopressin-neurophysin containing magnocellular neurons in the caudal PVN were found to concentrate E2. About 4% of the beta-endorphin and about 6% of the dynorphin containing neurons in the MBH concentrate E2. In contrast, virtually none (less than 0.2%) of the LHRH containing hypothalamic neurons concentrate E2.

Amygdala↗