Involvement of neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors in the regulation of LH and GH cells in the pituitary of the catfish, Clarias batrachus: an immunocytochemical study.

Although neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been known to influence the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland of teleosts, the NPY receptor subtypes involved in the regulatory processes have not been fully defined. An attempt has been made to study the involvement of NPY Y1 receptors, if any, in mediating the NPY-triggered stimulation of the LH and GH secreting cells in the pituitary of the catfish, Clarias batrachus. NPY (10 ng/g of body wt) or NPY Y1 receptor agonist (Leu(31)-Pro(34)-NPY, 3 ng/g of body wt) were administered by the intracranial route and the responses by the LH and GH cells in the pituitary were investigated with the help of immunocytochemistry. Both the agents caused a highly significant decrease (P<0.001) in the immunoreactivity of LH cells. However, the treatment with NPY Y1 receptor antagonist (BIBP 3226, 1 ng/g of body wt), prior to NPY or NPY Y1 agonist, blocked the response by the LH cells; the profile of the cells was quite similar to that of the saline-injected control fish. GH cells also showed similar pattern of responses to these treatments. While NPY and NPY Y1 receptor agonist caused significant (P<0.001) decrease in the GH immunoreactivity, pretreatment with the NPY Y1 antagonist blocked the response. These results suggest that NPY may exercise a secretogogue-like action on the LH and GH cells in the pituitary of C. batrachus via NPY Y1 receptors.