Comparison of melatonin-binding sites in the brain of two amphibians: an autoradiographic study.

Neuroanatomic comparison of the binding capability of 2-[125I] iodomelatonin in the crested newt Triturus carnifex Laur. and the green frog Rana esculenta, using quantitative autoradiographic techniques, revealed a heterogeneous distribution pattern. The highest and relatively high binding activities were shown to occur in the optic tracts and in the suprachiasmatic area of the hypothalamus and the optic tectum, respectively, of both species. Low or no 2-[125I] iodomelatonin binding values were obtained in the preoptic nucleus, the tuberal hypothalamus, the medulla oblongata, the septum and the dorsal pallium. A differential binding pattern was observed in the amygdaloid nucleus pars lateralis, the striatum and the hindbrain of these amphibians. Indeed, notably high binding levels were shown to occur in the former two brain areas of the crested newt, whereas high levels were displayed in the latter brain region of the green frog. On the basis of elevated quantities of melatonin receptors in mesencephalic, hypothalamic and telencephalic sites, it seems plausible to ascribe some important sensory functions to this receptor system in both species. The remarkably different binding activities in the brain of the two amphibians could be correlated with the simpler cytoarchitectonic brain structure of urodeles and with species-specific variations.