Effects of brain lesions of gonadotrop ultrastructure and serum gonadotropin levels in goldfish.

Brain lesions that destroyed the anterior preoptic region or the pituitary stalk in sexually mature (= completed ovarian recrudescence) goldfish caused a significant increase in serum gonadotropin levels for at least 11 days postoperatively. These results confirmed previous findings indicating the presence of a gonadotropin release-inhibitory factor. Electron-microscopic investigation revealed that the gonadotrops were depleted of the small secretory granules, had marked dilations of the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and extensive development of the Golgi apparatus. This indicated both secretion and synthesis, and correlated with the prolonged increase in serum gonadotropin resulting from the lesions.