Melanin concentrating hormone. I. Influence of nerves and hormones on the control of trout melanophores.

When melanophores on trout scales are cultured in vitro they show a transitory melanin concentration, which can be prevented by addition to the medium of the alpha adrenergic blocker, phentolamine. This indicates the release of endogenous nor-epinephrine from local nerve terminals. This initial phase of melanin aggregation is followed by redispersion and then by a second, more gradual melanin concentration over several days, which is not antagonized by phentolamine. A final melanophore index of between 2-2.5 is attained which may be the resting state of trout melanophores. Using short-term cultured melanophores which have passed the phase of endogenous nor-epinephrine release, it is shown that exogenous nor-epinephrine will interact synergistically with the melanin-concentrating hormone to achieve full melanin concentration. Evidence is discussed for believing that in the trout, such synergy is necessary to achieve maximum pallor in vivo.