Tryptophyllin-like immunoreactivity in rat adenohypophysis.

A new amphibian peptide family has been isolated from the skin of a South American frog Phyllomedusa rhodei and named Tryptophyllins (TPH) because of their content in tryptophyl residue. Using an antiserum against one of these peptides, namely the pentapeptide Met-5-TPH-5-amide (PHE-PRO-PRO-TRP-MET-NH2), we observed the presence of a set of immunoreactive cells in rat adenohypophysis. These cells were far more numerous in pregnant than in normal male and non-pregnant female rats. Dual immunostainings demonstrated that, with some exceptions, almost all the TPH-like immunoreactive cells were gonadotrophs. At electron microscope both types of gonadotroph cells displayed immunoreactivity and the gold particles strongly labelled both types of granules. The Aa. advance the hypothesis that, besides the hormones themselves, the secretory granules might contain some TPH-like sequence.