Differences between early- and late-maturing genotypes of the platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) in the morphometry of their immunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing hormone-containing cells: a developmental study.

Immunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (ir-LHRH) containing perikarya, brain nuclei, and pituitary cells were studied during the postnatal development of male sibling platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) genetically determined to reach puberty at two different ages using immunocytochemical, cytological, and morphometric methods. Ir-LHRH-containing perikarya first appear in the nucleus olfactoretinalis (NOR) at 5 weeks of age in early maturers and at 11 weeks in late maturers at a maximum number which is similar in both genotypes and remains constant into adulthood. The dimensions of the NOR and its perikarya increase up to the initiation of sexual maturation (gonopodial stage 2) in both genotypes. In the nucleus preopticus periventricularis (NPP), ir-perikarya appear at stage 2 and are maximum in number at maturity (stage 6) when early maturers have 50% more than late maturers. Measurements for the NPP increase between 1 week and stage 6 in both genotypes. In the nucleus lateralis tuberis (NLT), ir-perikarya appear soon after stage 2 in early maturers but are never seen in late maturers. Late maturers also have fewer ir-LHRH containing pituitary cells than early maturers. In both genotypes, measurements for the NLT increase to stage 2 and then decrease to stage 6. During sexual development there are differences between early- and late-maturing genotypes in the morphometry of their LHRH-containing brain centers. The timing of sexual development creates significant differences in the cytological and cytometric characteristics of the three ir-LHRH-containing brain nuclei in fish of the same age but different genotype. Our results also show that for both genotypes there is a positive correlation between the total number of ir-LHRH brain neurons and the total number of ir-pituitary cells and both are lower for late maturers at every age and stage.