Hypothalamo-hypophysial vascular and neurosecretory links in ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei (lay and bennett)

doi:10.1016/S0016-6480(66)80035-7

General and Comparative Endocrinology

Volume 6, Issue 3, June 1966, Pages 476-490

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-6480(66)80035-7 Get rights and content

Vascularization of the brain and hypophysical region of chimaeroid Hydrolagus colliei is supplied by the anterior carotid arteries. The Rachendachhypophysis, a detached adenohypophysial component, has an independent blood supply from a branch of the joined internal carotid arteries.

The pars distalis has no direct arterial supply. Two hypophysial arteries branch from the anterior carotids and run posteriorly to the neurointermediate lobe, giving off on their way a few small branches which supply the primary capillary plexus of the median eminence which, via portal veins, is the sole source of blood for the pars distalis. The neurointermediate lobe receives an additional supply from the posterior hypophysial arteries.

A majority of fibers in the neurosecretory tracts joining the nucleus preopticus with the hypophysis terminate in the neurointermediate lobe. However, some of the neurosecretory axons branch off toward the median eminence and terminate near blood vessels of the primary capillary net. The vascular connections between components of the neurointermediate lobe are characteristic, but not unique: (a) the vascular net is composed of wide, irregular, sinusoid-like capillaries distributed within the cellular cords of the intermediate lobe; (b) the neural lobe itself is avascular; and (c) the neurosecretory axons of the neural lobe enter the intermediate lobe and, passing between the cells of this region, terminate on the walls of blood vessels where large accumulations of neurosecretory substance are to be observed.

The staining affinities of the hypophysial cells, as well as of vesicular structures containing colloid-like substance are also described.

References (39)

DoddJ.M.
The pituitary complex
GorbmanA.
Endocrine terminologic usage
Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.
(1965)
GorbmanA. et al.
The vascularization of the hypophysial structures of the hagfish
Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.
(1963)
AllisE.P.
The branchial, pseudobranchial, and carotid arteries in Chimaera (Hydrolagus) colliei
Anat. Anz.
(1912)
BargmannW.
Weitere Untersuchungen am neurosekretorischen Zwischenhirn-Hypophysensystem
Z Zellforsch.
(1955)
CraigieE.H.
Notes on the blood vessels of the brain in a Holocephalian—Hydrologus (Chimaera) colliei
Anat. Rec.
(1927)
DawsonA.B.
Evidence for the termination of neurosecretory fibers within the pars intermedia and the hypophysis of the frog, Rana pipiens
Anat. Rec.
(1953)
FolleniusE.
Bases structurales et ultrastructurales des corrélations diencéphalo-hypophysaires chez Sélaciens et les Téléostéens
Arch. Anat. Microscop. Morphol. Exptl.
(1965)
FolleniusE.
Comparaison des relations vasculaires hypothalamo-hypophysaires chez quelques espèces de Téléostéens
Compt. Rend.
(1961)
FolleniusE.
La vascularization de l'hypophyse de quelques Cyprinodontes
Anat. Anz.
(1960)

FujitaT.

Über das Zwischenhirn-Hypophysensystem von Chimaera monstrosa

Z. Zellforsch.

(1963)

GorbmanA.

Vascular relations between the neurohypophysis and adenohypophysis of cyclostomes and the problem of evolution of hypothalamic neuroendocrine control

Arch. Anat. Microscop. Morphol. Exptl.

(1965)

GreenJ.D.

The comparative anatomy of the hypophysis, with special reference to its blood supply and innervation

Am. J. Anat.

(1951)

GrodzińskiZ.

Über das Blutgefassystem von Myxine glutinosa L.

Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Ser. B

(1926)

GrodzińskiZ.

The blood-vessels in the brain of Elasmobranchs

Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Ser. B

(1946)

GrodzińskiZ.

The main vessels of the brain in Rainbow trout (Salmo irideus Gibb.)

Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Ser. B

(1946)

GrodzińskiZ.

The blood-vessels of the brain of the sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus L.)

Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Ser. B

(1948)

JasińskiA.

The main vessels of the brain in loach (Misgurnus fossilis L.)

Acta Morphol.

(1959)

JasińskiA.

Structure and vascularization of the pituitary body of Teleosts. Part I. The eel (Anguilla anguilla L.)

Acta Biol. Cracoviensia. Zool.

(1961)

Cited by (14)

Some Questions on the Nature and Function of Cranial and Caudal Neurosecretory Systems in Non-Mammalian Vertebrates
1972, Progress in Brain Research
There are two separable cranial (hypothalamic) neurosecretory systems in vertebrates: one originating in the preoptic (and homologous) nuclei and the other in the lateral tuberal nuclei. However, in teleosts, the median eminence is at most residual and there is a specialized system of neurosecretory innervation of adenohypophysial cells. Innervation of the adenohypophysis, especially of the pars intermedia, occurs in other vertebrates as well. Some hypophysiotropic control systems differ among the several vertebrate groups. Nothing definitive is known about the chemistry of nonmammalian hypophysiotropins. A caudal neurosecretory system is probably present in all fish groups except cyclostomes and lungfishes, although the urophysis is characteristic only of teleosts. The function of this system is still unknown, but principles with smooth muscle contracting, hypotensive, and hydrosmotic effects are located in and released from the urophysis. The hydrosmotic effect is probably due to arginine vasotocin; the other factors, although peptidic, are not related to neurohypophysial octapeptides. Proteins unique to the urophysis can be demonstrated and undergo changes in response to certain stimuli. An increasing amount of pharmacological information on urophysial principles is available, but the physiology of the system remains essentially unknown.
Comparative aspects of nervous control of pars intermedia
1972, General and Comparative Endocrinology
The comparative study of pars intermedia control clearly indicates that both nerve and blood supplies are essential pathways for the control of MSH release. Most of the blood vessels penetrating the pars intermedia of tetrapods derive from a dense vascular plexus interposed between the neural and intermediate lobes. In many species this plexus intermedius represents the only vascular supply to the pars intermedia. In turn, this plexus is supplied by capillaries draining the neural lobe, and in some species, also by capillaries coming from the median eminence. Therefore, the blood irrigating the pars intermedia comes from two important neurohemal areas.
Based on histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics more than one type of nerve fiber has been described in the pars intermedia of most species studied. The application of the zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide impregnation method (ZIO) to the pars intermedia showed that all types of nerve fibers have ZIO-positive material. Several histochemical, pharmacological and experimental studies strongly suggest that certain variations of the ZIO method and the histochemical fluorescence methods for biogenic amines stain the same group of substances. It is, therefore, postulated that all pars intermedia nerve fibers contain a biogenic amine. Consequently, the distinction between “ordinary” and catecholamine-containing fibers in the pars intermedia should be reconsidered. Instead, the different types of fibers of the pars intermedia may be recognized by considering their histochemical, ultrastructural and electrophysiological characteristics, or their different origins.
In lower vertebrates the pars intermedia is poorly vascularized and richly innervated. On the contrary, the innervation of the pars intermedia of higher vertebrates is poor or completely absent and blood vessels are more numerous. However, the pars intermedia of most species studied appears to be under hypothalamic inhibitory control, regardless of the pattern of innervation. All the evidence available points to the possibility that the purely nervous mechanism inhibiting MSH release in lower vertebrates has shifted to a neurovascular mechanism in higher vertebrates.
Tetrapodlike features of the hypothalamohypophysial vascularization in the air-breathing teleost, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bl.)
1971, General and Comparative Endocrinology
In Heteropneustes fossilis the midventral floor of the hypothalamus is the site of the formation of median neurosecretory tracts and the uniting place of the median and the main tracts. Hence this area has a close network of neurosecretory axons, and at least some of them seem to terminate in this region. It is also the site of formation of the capillary plexus, which is in close contact with the neurosecretory axons. Thus, it is comparable to the median eminence of the tetrapods. Blood from the primary capillary plexus is conducted into the pituitary by portal vessels, which largely irrigate both pars distalis and pars intermedia. Some of them, along with the direct branches of the median hypophysial arteries, contribute to the formation of the interface vascular plexus lying in between the rostral neurohypophysis and pars distalis. From the interface vascular plexus also, blood vessels penetrate into the glandular pituitary. Thus the rostral neurohypophysis also functions as a median eminence.
The median eminence of the bowfin, Amia calva L
1970, General and Comparative Endocrinology
The coexistence of an extensive, elaborate median eminence and limited areas of primitively developed neurohypophyseal contact within the pars distalis are described in the holostean fish Amia calva as observed by light and electron microscopy. Axonal bulbs with 890 Å diameter, monaminergic-type dense-cored vesicles are concentrated on the capillary glomeruloids which deeply penetrate the infundibular surface. Portal vessels represent the sole vascular supply for the pars distalis.
Despite its relatively advanced status at the holostean organizational level, Amia reveals a remarkably developed median eminence in comparison with fishes considered to be more primitive.
Functional Electron Microscopy of the Hypothalamic Median Eminence
1970, International Review of Cytology
The median eminence contains distal portions of several types of axons characterized by size and profile of the granules or vesicles therein. Four types of axons are clearly discernible throughout the vertebrate series (1) axons containing large granules (about 1500 A) and synaptic vesicles, (2) axons containing intermediate granules (about 1200 A) and synaptic vesicles, (3) axons containing small granules (about 1000 A) and synaptic vesicles, and (4) axons containing synaptic vesicles exclusively. The diameters of the granules or vesicles of each type differ from species to species and show differences resulting from the use of different embedding materials. These axons abut on the capillaries of the primary plexus or have endings near the capillaries. Bidirectional secretion or absorption of ependymal and hypendymal cells of the median eminence into or from both the third ventricle and the capillaries of the primary plexus is possible. The functions of the median eminence are completely different from those of the pars nervosa; however, the median eminence is an independent neuroendocrine organ.
Vascularization of the pituitary of the Australian lungfish and Neoceratodus forsteri
1999, Acta Zoologica

View all citing articles on Scopus

¹: This study was aided in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, NB 04887, and in part by a grant from the University of Washington Graduate School. The senior author is the appreciative beneficiary of travel grants and aid from the Institute of International Education, New York, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Warsaw.

²: Regular address: Hoyer Department of Comparative Anatomy, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, 50 Krupnicza Str., Poland.

View full text

Hypothalamo-hypophysial vascular and neurosecretory links in ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei (lay and bennett)1

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.

The branchial, pseudobranchial, and carotid arteries in Chimaera (Hydrolagus) colliei

Anat. Anz.

Weitere Untersuchungen am neurosekretorischen Zwischenhirn-Hypophysensystem

Z Zellforsch.

Notes on the blood vessels of the brain in a Holocephalian—Hydrologus (Chimaera) colliei

Anat. Rec.

Evidence for the termination of neurosecretory fibers within the pars intermedia and the hypophysis of the frog, Rana pipiens

Anat. Rec.

Bases structurales et ultrastructurales des corrélations diencéphalo-hypophysaires chez Sélaciens et les Téléostéens

Arch. Anat. Microscop. Morphol. Exptl.

Comparaison des relations vasculaires hypothalamo-hypophysaires chez quelques espèces de Téléostéens

Compt. Rend.

La vascularization de l'hypophyse de quelques Cyprinodontes

Anat. Anz.

Über das Zwischenhirn-Hypophysensystem von Chimaera monstrosa

Z. Zellforsch.

Vascular relations between the neurohypophysis and adenohypophysis of cyclostomes and the problem of evolution of hypothalamic neuroendocrine control

Arch. Anat. Microscop. Morphol. Exptl.

The comparative anatomy of the hypophysis, with special reference to its blood supply and innervation

Am. J. Anat.

Über das Blutgefassystem von Myxine glutinosa L.

Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Ser. B

The blood-vessels in the brain of Elasmobranchs

Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Ser. B

The main vessels of the brain in Rainbow trout (Salmo irideus Gibb.)

Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Ser. B

The blood-vessels of the brain of the sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus L.)

Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Ser. B

The main vessels of the brain in loach (Misgurnus fossilis L.)

Acta Morphol.

Structure and vascularization of the pituitary body of Teleosts. Part I. The eel (Anguilla anguilla L.)

Acta Biol. Cracoviensia. Zool.