Immunocytochemical demonstration of prolactin-like activity in the neural gland of the ascidian Styela plicata.

The neural gland of the ascidian Styela plicata has been studied by means of cytochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Several cells of the glandular lobules are erythrosin-positive and immunoreactive after incubation with a mammalian antibody to human prolactin. On the basis of the results obtained and of the existing literature, the possible pituitary-like function of the neural gland is discussed.