Assessment of ghrelin, GHS-R, GH, and neurohormones in human fetal pituitary glands and central nervous system: an immunohistochemical study

作者：Kedzia Andrzej^*; Obara Moszynska Monika; Chmielnicka Kopaczyk Maria

来源：Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica, 2009, 47(3): 505-510.

DOI：10.2478/v10042-009-0106-z

• ghrelin
• GHS-R1a
• GHRH
• somatostatin
• growth hormone
• fetal pituitary glands
• central nervous system
• immunohistochemistry

The aim of this work was evaluation of expression of ghrelin and GHS-R1a receptor in somatotrops and in neuronal cells of brain tissue in the process of human fetal ontogenesis. Relations were also looked for between GHRH and SS in the pituitary and in the CNS neurones of the studied fetuses. The study was based on 8 pituitaries and 8 brains from fetuses in different periods of intrauterine life. The immunocytochemical technique was used. The presence of ghrelin, GHS-R was shown in the glandular part of the pituitary and CNS during the whole period of intrauterine life. Neurohormones in the stalk of the pituitary were found in fetuses from the 32(nd) week of pregnancy whereas in the CNS neurones these hormones could be detected throughout the whole period of intrauterine life. The results obtained suggest that stimulation of GH secretion by ghrelin is independent of the feedback concentration and these two hormones act like signals of metabolic balance. GH release by ghrelin in fetal life is independent of somatostatin. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis which regulates pulsatile GH release from the pituitary matures functionally in the thrid trimester of pregnancy independent of the previous anatomical differentiation.

• 出版日期2009