Neuropeptide Y: localization in the brain and pituitary of the developing frog (Rana esculenta)

Cell Tissue Res. 1996 Aug;285(2):253-9. doi: 10.1007/s004410050642.

Abstract

The immunohistochemical localization of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like peptide has been investigated in the peripheral terminal nerve, brain and pituitary of the frog, Rana esculenta, during development. Soon after hatching, a rather simple NPY-immunoreactive (-ir) neuronal system is present, with elements located mainly in the diencephalon. When hind limbs appear and develop, the NPY-neuronal system undergoes considerable elaboration and NPY-ir perikarya appear in several regions of the telencephalon (dorsal, medial, and lateral pallium; medial septum; medioventral telencephalon; anterior preoptic area), diencephalon (ventromedial, central and posterior thalamic nuclei; suprachiasmatic nucleus; infundibulum), mesencephalon (anteroventral mesencephalic tegmentum), and rhombencephalon (central grey; area of the cerebellar and vestibular nuclei). The frequency of NPY-ir neurons increases during larval development, and then decreases in the anterior preoptic area during the metamorphic climax. Dense plexuses of NPY-ir fibers are formed in several brain areas. NPY-ir fibers are found in the peripheral terminal nerve, and ir-neurons through its course along the ventromedial surface of the olfactory bulbs. NPY-ir fiber projections to the median eminence and pars intermedia derive mainly from the ventral infundibular group of NPY-ir neurons, with a contribution from the suprachiasmatic group of NPY neurons. NPY and carboxyl terminal flanking peptide of proneuropeptide Y coexist in the same neurons throughout the brain. The ontogenetic pattern of NPY-ir neuronal system in the brain of Rana esculenta is remarkably different than that reported for Xenopus laevis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / growth & development*
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Larva / metabolism
  • Metamorphosis, Biological / physiology
  • Nerve Endings / metabolism
  • Neuropeptide Y / metabolism*
  • Peripheral Nerves / metabolism
  • Pituitary Gland / growth & development*
  • Pituitary Gland / metabolism*
  • Protein Precursors / metabolism
  • Rana esculenta

Substances

  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Protein Precursors
  • proneuropeptide Y