LHRH in the ferret: pubertal decrease in the number of immunopositive arcuate neurons

This study correlated a region-specific change in the number of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-immunopositive (LHRH+) neurons with pubertal development in male ferrets. There were 50% fewer LHRH+ cell bodies in the arcuate nucleus of peri- and postpubertal ferrets than in prepubertal ferrets; this significant decrease represented a 15% reduction in the overall number of LHRH+ neurons. Intracerebroventricular colchicine did not reveal additional numbers of LHRH+ neurons in the arcuate nucleus, indicating that the pubertal decrease in arcuate LHRH+ cell bodies was not due to rapid transport of peptide. These results suggest that LHRH of arcuate origin may inhibit release of LHRH via ultrashortloop negative feedback in prepubertal ferrets. Cessation of peptide production in half of the arcuate LHRH neurons at puberty could result in a reduction in this inhibitory signal that permits the pubertal increase in LHRH/LH release. Alternatively, LHRH of arcuate origin may have a nonpituitary role. In either case, these data provide evidence for heterogeneity of function among LHRH+ neurons.