Differential distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone variants in the brain of Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris (Mammalia, Rodentia).

1. In a previous paper we reported evidence for the presence of mGnRH- and sGnRH-like peptides in the preoptic-hypothalamic region of the capybara Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris (Montaner et al., 1998). In that study, the presence of a cGnRH-II like molecule in olfactory bulb extracts was suggested. 2. The capybara, the largest living rodent in the world, belongs to the order Hystricomorpha, which is considered to be one of the oldest groups of rodents. Some authors consider that this group is the ancestor of all remaining rodents. 3. In this study we have characterized GnRH molecular variants found in extracts from the olfactory bulbs and the mesencephalic region of capybara. These regions represent the two GnRH neuronal systems: the terminal nerve-septopreoptic and the midbrain systems. 4. An indirect method combining reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to characterize GnRH variants. The analysis of both extracts with two different RIA systems revealed three immunoreactive GnRH peaks, coeluting with mGnRH, cIIGnRH, and sGnRH synthetic standards. These results were additionally supported by serial dilution studies with specific antisera. 5. To our knowledge this the first report on the presence of three GnRH variants in the brain of an eutherian mammal. These results suggest that, similarly to other vertebrates, the expression of multiple GnRH variants may also be a common pattern in mammals.