Immunocytochemistry of gonadotropic cells in the pituitary of some teleost species.

An antiserum (anti-sGTH) raised against salmon gonadotropin (SG-G100) was tested on pituitary sections of Sarotherodon mossambicus, Carassius auratus, Anguilla anguilla (intact and estradiol-treated to induce the development of the gonadotropic (GTH) cells), Salmo trutta fario, and a protandric marine teleost (Sarpa salpa, Sparidae). Using an immunoenzymologic technique, anti-sGTH stained GTH and thyrotropic (TSH) cells in the species studied. Anti-sGTH stained the granulated GTH cells in S. trutta fario and S. salpa; the vacuolated cells remained faintly stained or unlabeled in most cases. The results are discussed in the light of cytological, ultrastructural, and biochemical data which suggest that two forms of GTH cells may be present in some teleost pituitaries.