Tanycytes and their relation to the hypophyseal gonadotrophic function.

It is shown by the enzyme-histochemical method that after prenatal androgenization (the administration of 25 mg testosterone propionate to the mother on the 19th day of pregnancy) female rats lose the sex differences in the age dynamics of the activity of some dehydrogenases in the beta 1-tanycytes, which were detected earlier in the 'critical period'. The data of the present study are regarded as further evidence in favor of the earlier advanced assumption of beta 1-tanycyte hypersensitivity to the sex hormones. The authors develop an original hypothesis on the possible role of beta 1-tanycytes in the feedback control of gonadoliberin release from the nerve terminals of the median eminence.