Melatonin-binding sites in the gonadotroph-enriched zona tuberalis of ewes

The presence of melatonin-binding sites in the ovine pars tuberalis is well established, but data on melatonin binding in the pars distalis are inconsistent. The distribution of melatonin-binding sites in the ovine hypophysis was investigated using in vitro autoradiography and the high-affinity, high specific-activity ligand 2-[125I]iodomelatonin. The histology of sections was visualized with Heidenhain's azan stain and sections were immunoreacted against ovine LH (beta-subunit) using standard immunocytochemical techniques. Melatonin binding in the hypophysis was restricted to the pars tuberalis and the zona tuberalis. The zona tuberalis is histologically similar to the pars tuberalis and appears to be a ventral extension of this region, although the shape and size of the zona tuberalis are extremely variable between individuals. Like the anteroventral pars tuberalis, there is a high concentration of immunoreactive gonadotrophs in the zona tuberalis. The density of immunoreactive gonadotrophs alone is sufficient to discriminate between the zona tuberalis and the pars distalis. Our data suggest that the zona tuberalis and the pars tuberalis are part of the same endocrine tissue and that melatonin-binding sites are not present in the pars distalis proper.