Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Olfactory System, Forebrain and Pituitary of the Indian Major Carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus: Organisation and Interaction with Neuropeptide Y in the Preoptic Area

Dopamine (DA) inhibits, whereas gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates, luteinisiing (LH) cells in the pituitary of some but not all teleosts. A reduction in the hypophysiotropic dopaminergic tone is necessary for the stimulatory effect of GnRH on LH cells. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has emerged as one of the potent, endogenous agent that modulates LH secretion directly or indirectly via GnRH. Involvement of NPY in the regulation of hypophysiotropic DA neurones, however, is not known, but there is good evidence suggesting an interaction in the mammalian hypothalamus. DA neurones, identified by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐immunoreactivity, were observed widely throughout the brain of the Indian major carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus. The granule cells and ganglion cells of terminal nerve in the olfactory bulb, and cells in ventral telencephalon and preoptic area (POA) showed conspicuous TH immunoreactivity. In the POA, the nucleus preopticus periventricularis (NPP), divisible into anterior (NPPa) and posterior (NPPp) components, showed prominent TH‐immunoreactivity. The majority of TH neurones in NPPa showed axonal extensions to the pituitary and were closely associated with LH cells. The NPPa also appeared to be the site for intense interaction between NPY and DA because it contains a rich network of NPY fibres and few immunoreactive cells. Approximately 89.7 ± 1.5% TH neurones in NPPa were contacted by NPY fibres. Superfused POA slices treated with a NPY Y2‐receptor agonist, NPY 13‐36 resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in TH‐immunoreactivity in NPPa. TH neurones in NPPa did not respond to NPY Y1‐receptor agonist, [Leu31, Pro34] Neuropeptide Y treatment. We suggest that, by inhibiting DAergic neurones in NPPa via Y2‐receptors, NPY may contribute to the up‐regulation of the GnRH–LH cells axis. The microcircuitry of DA and NPY and their interaction in NPPa might be a crucial component in the central regulation of LH secretion in the teleosts.