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Published on: March 25, 2013
Plasma LH and gonadal LH-binding cells in normal and surgically decapitated chick embryos
J E Woods1, C G Scanes, M Seeley
1Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois 60614.
Insights
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is present in chick embryos early in development. Pituitary function, assessed via LH levels and gonadal cell binding, is crucial for pituitary-gonadal axis maturation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Avian Embryology
Background:
- The pituitary-gonadal axis is critical for reproductive development.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) plays a key role in gonadal function.
- Understanding embryonic development of this axis is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in chick embryos.
- To determine the numerical density of gonadal LH-binding cells during embryonic development.
- To evaluate the role of LH in pituitary-gonadal axis maturation in chick embryos.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma LH concentrations in intact and hypophysectomized chick embryos.
- Quantified numerical density of gonadal LH-binding cells throughout incubation.
- Utilized pituitary transplants in hypophysectomized embryos to assess LH regulation.
Main Results:
- LH was detected in plasma as early as Day 10.5 of incubation in both sexes.
- Hypophysectomy significantly reduced plasma LH levels compared to intact embryos.
- Pituitary transplants restored plasma LH concentrations to levels comparable to intact embryos.
Conclusions:
- The pituitary gland is the source of embryonic plasma LH.
- Plasma LH and gonadal LH-binding cell dynamics are integral to pituitary-gonadal axis maturation in chick embryos.
- This study provides insights into the developmental endocrinology of avian reproduction.
Abstract:
Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations and the numerical density (Nv) of gonadal LH-binding (LH-positive) cells were determined in intact male and female chick embryos from Days 10.5 through 18.5 of incubation for plasma LH and from Days 6.5 through 19.5 for LH-binding cells, as well as in Day 15.5 decapitated ("hypophysectomized") embryos with pituitary transplants for both plasma LH and LH-binding cells. The data demonstrate that LH is already present in the plasma of male and female embryos as early as Day 10.5, the first day examined. Plasma LH levels in hypophysectomized embryos were statistically significantly lower than those of intact embryos, while pituitary transplants to the chorioallantoic membrane of hypophysectomized embryos elevated plasma LH concentrations to levels not statistically different from those of intacts. The "role(s)" of plasma LH levels and changes in form and numerical density (Nv) of gonadal LH-binding cells in the maturation of the pituitary-gonadal axes of the chick embryo are discussed and evaluated.
