A new type of antiserum to thyrotropin-releasing hormone; detection of new TRH-immunoreactive cell groups in rat hypothalamus.

We produced a new type of antiserum to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in rabbits. The immunogen is TRH-BSA, the production of which is based on the formation of an amide bond using carbodiimide (EDC). The specificity of the antiserum was assessed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and immunohistochemistry. When using the anti-TRH serum for immunohistochemistry in rat hypothalamus, new magnocellular groups were detected in the ventrolateral parts of the posterior hypothalamus and the dorsal parts of the third ventricle. Colchicine treatment was found not to be necessary to visualize perikarya containing TRH.