Regional distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-like, beta-endorphin-like, and methionine-enkephalin-like immunoreactivities in the central nervous system of the goat.

Regional distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like-, beta-endorphin (beta-end)-like-, and methionine-enkephalin (met-enk)-like-immunoreactivity was quantified across various regions of the central nervous system (CNS) of male and female goats by using highly specific radioimmunoassays. All the animals were sacrificed during the months of March through June (non-breeding season). Although the distribution of these three neuropeptides was similar to other mammalian species, species-specific gender differences in the levels of neuropeptides were noticed in the goat CNS. Highest levels of GnRH-like immunoreactivities were found in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus of male goats exhibited significantly higher levels of GnRH-like immunoreactivities compared to female goats. Other regions exhibiting GnRH-like immunoreactivities included olfactory bulbs, preoptic and supraoptic regions, and mamillary bodies. Both beta-end- and met-enk immunoreactivities were detected in all selected regions of goat CNS, but highest levels of these opioid peptide-like immunoreactivities were limited to the forebrain regions of the goat. The supraoptic area of the female goats contained significantly higher levels of beta-end-like immunoreactivities than that of the male goats. Met-enk-peptide-like immunoreactivity also exhibited gender-specific differences in its content in some regions of the CNS. The male goats exhibited significantly higher levels of met-enk-like immunoreactivity in both the striatal and hypothalamic regions of the brain.