Evidence for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) synthesis in the preoptic nucleus of Xenopus laevis tadpoles: a preliminary report based on lesion experiments.

For the study of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of Xenopus laevis tadpoles, hypothalamic lesions were made by means of the electrocoagulation technique. Lesioning of the ventral region of the preoptic nucleus resulted in a decrease of the number of ACTH cells in the pars distalis of the pituitary gland and in a diminution of the PAS-positive reaction of these cells. In addition, regeneration of the neurosecretory cells of the ventral region of the preoptic nucleus observed 6 weeks after lesioning was accompanied by the reappearance of normal PAS-positive ACTH cells in the pars distalis. It is suggested that the neurosecretory cells of the ventral region of the preoptic nucleus of Xenopus laevis tadpoles are related to the ACTH synthesizing cells, probably by producing CRF.