The hypothalamo-hypophysial system of the wild carp, Cyprinus carpio L. I. Structure and ultrastructure of the posterior neurohypophysis.

The posterior neurohypophysis (PNH)-pars intermedia complex of the wild and pond carp, Cyprinus carpio L., has been studied by light, fluorescence and electron microscopy. "Gomori-positive" neurosecretory fibres are abundant in the main trunk of the neurohypophysis as well as its roots penetrating the pars intermedia. Terminals of these fibres are in contact with capillaries of the general circulation and with glandular cells of the pars intermedia. Monoaminergic fibres with a weak green fluorescence, somewhat increasing after injection of nialamide into the pond carp, have largely the same distribution. Three types of neurosecretory fibres and their terminals have been recognized in the PNH-pars intermedia complex. Types-A1 and -A2 fibres, containing granules of 140-180 nm and 100-160 nm in diameter respectively, are peptidergic "Gomori-positive". Type-A2 fibres predominate in the PNH. The least frequent monoaminergic type-B fibres have granules of 60-100 nm in diameter. Numerous peptidergic and few monoaminergic neurosecretory terminals make contact with the capillaries located within the roots of the PNH as well as at the border between them and the pars intermedia. Both peptidergic and monoaminergic terminals make direct synaptoid contacts with the gland cells or end close to connective tissue septa, basal lamina or pituicytes. The PAS-positive gland cells and to a lesser degree the lead-haematoxylin-positive gland cells show these relationships with neurosecretory terminals. The question concerning the mode of interaction between peptidergic and monoaminergic structures in the dual control of the gland cells of the pars intermedia of teleosts is discussed.