Biomaterial Database

Ontogeny of hypothalamo-adenohypophyseal-gonadal (HAG) interrelationships in the chick embryo. 1984

J E Woods, and R C Thommes

In the male chick embryo the components of the hypothalamo-adenohypophyseal-testicular axis initially function independently of each other. It is not until days 12.5-13.5 that the adenohypophysis begins to regulate testosterone synthesis and secretion; on day 13.5 plasma testosterone reaches a maximum embryonic level. This feed forward regulation of the pituitary-testicular unit appears to involve a cause and effect relation between a statistically significant increase in the number of testicular interstitial cell LH receptors on days 12.5 and 13.0 and an increase in plasma LH levels on day 13.5 (up-regulation). Subsequently, events occur that are interpreted as indicative of the feedback phase of this endocrine axis. Plasma LH levels decrease after day 13.5. Also on day 13.5 and all subsequent embryonic days, there is a significant decline in the volume density of testicular LH receptor-positive interstitial cells (IC) associated with an internalization of the LH receptor complexes and a marked decline in plasma testosterone levels (down-regulation). It is strongly suggested that the decline in the number of LH receptor-positive ICs and the internalization of the LH receptor complexes is indicative of a "desensitization" of the ICs followed by a decrease in testosterone synthesis and secretion. Comparable events that occur in the female embryo with respect to the development of the hypothalamo-adenohypophyseal-ovarian axis are also discussed in this minireview.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007030	Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System	A collection of NEURONS, tracts of NERVE FIBERS, endocrine tissue, and blood vessels in the HYPOTHALAMUS and the PITUITARY GLAND. This hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal circulation provides the mechanism for hypothalamic neuroendocrine (HYPOTHALAMIC HORMONES) regulation of pituitary function and the release of various PITUITARY HORMONES into the systemic circulation to maintain HOMEOSTASIS.	Hypothalamic Hypophyseal System,Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis,Hypophyseal Portal System,Hypothalamic-Pituitary Unit,Hypothalamic Hypophyseal Systems,Hypothalamic Pituitary Unit,Hypothalamo Hypophyseal System,Hypothalamo Pituitary Adrenal Axis,Portal System, Hypophyseal
D007986	Luteinizing Hormone	A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Luteinizing hormone regulates steroid production by the interstitial cells of the TESTIS and the OVARY. The preovulatory LUTEINIZING HORMONE surge in females induces OVULATION, and subsequent LUTEINIZATION of the follicle. LUTEINIZING HORMONE consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity.	ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone),Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,LH (Luteinizing Hormone),Lutropin,Luteoziman,Luteozyman,Hormone, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating,Hormone, Luteinizing,Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
D008297	Male		Males
D010053	Ovary	The reproductive organ (GONADS) in female animals. In vertebrates, the ovary contains two functional parts: the OVARIAN FOLLICLE for the production of female germ cells (OOGENESIS); and the endocrine cells (GRANULOSA CELLS; THECA CELLS; and LUTEAL CELLS) for the production of ESTROGENS and PROGESTERONE.	Ovaries
D010903	Pituitary Gland, Anterior	The anterior glandular lobe of the pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis. It secretes the ADENOHYPOPHYSEAL HORMONES that regulate vital functions such as GROWTH; METABOLISM; and REPRODUCTION.	Adenohypophysis,Anterior Lobe of Pituitary,Anterior Pituitary Gland,Lobus Anterior,Pars Distalis of Pituitary,Adenohypophyses,Anterior Pituitary Glands,Anterior, Lobus,Anteriors, Lobus,Lobus Anteriors,Pituitary Anterior Lobe,Pituitary Glands, Anterior,Pituitary Pars Distalis
D011956	Receptors, Cell Surface	Cell surface proteins that bind signalling molecules external to the cell with high affinity and convert this extracellular event into one or more intracellular signals that alter the behavior of the target cell (From Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2nd ed, pp693-5). Cell surface receptors, unlike enzymes, do not chemically alter their ligands.	Cell Surface Receptor,Cell Surface Receptors,Hormone Receptors, Cell Surface,Receptors, Endogenous Substances,Cell Surface Hormone Receptors,Endogenous Substances Receptors,Receptor, Cell Surface,Surface Receptor, Cell
D011974	Receptors, LH	Those protein complexes or molecular sites on the surfaces and cytoplasm of gonadal cells that bind luteinizing or chorionic gonadotropic hormones and thereby cause the gonadal cells to synthesize and secrete sex steroids. The hormone-receptor complex is internalized from the plasma membrane and initiates steroid synthesis.	Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptors,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptors,ICSH Receptors,LH Receptors,LH-hCG Receptor,LH-hCG Receptors,Luteinizing Hormone Receptors,Lutropin Receptor,Lutropin Receptors,Receptors, Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptors, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptors, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,Receptors, Luteinizing Hormone,hCG Receptors,Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor,LH Receptor,Luteinizing Hormone Receptor,Receptors, ICSH,Receptors, Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone,Receptors, LH-hCG,Receptors, Lutropin,Receptors, hCG,hCG Receptor,Gonadotropin Receptor, Chorionic,Gonadotropin Receptors, Chorionic,Hormone Receptor, Luteinizing,Hormone Receptors, Luteinizing,LH hCG Receptor,LH hCG Receptors,Receptor, Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptor, LH,Receptor, LH-hCG,Receptor, Luteinizing Hormone,Receptor, Lutropin,Receptor, hCG,Receptors, LH hCG
D002642	Chick Embryo	The developmental entity of a fertilized chicken egg (ZYGOTE). The developmental process begins about 24 h before the egg is laid at the BLASTODISC, a small whitish spot on the surface of the EGG YOLK. After 21 days of incubation, the embryo is fully developed before hatching.	Embryo, Chick,Chick Embryos,Embryos, Chick
D004958	Estradiol	The 17-beta-isomer of estradiol, an aromatized C18 steroid with hydroxyl group at 3-beta- and 17-beta-position. Estradiol-17-beta is the most potent form of mammalian estrogenic steroids.	17 beta-Estradiol,Estradiol-17 beta,Oestradiol,17 beta-Oestradiol,Aerodiol,Delestrogen,Estrace,Estraderm TTS,Estradiol Anhydrous,Estradiol Hemihydrate,Estradiol Hemihydrate, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol Monohydrate,Estradiol Valerate,Estradiol Valeriante,Estradiol, (+-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (16 alpha,17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (16 alpha,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, (17-alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 beta)-(+-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, (9 beta,17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (9 beta,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, Monosodium Salt,Estradiol, Sodium Salt,Estradiol-17 alpha,Estradiol-17beta,Ovocyclin,Progynon-Depot,Progynova,Vivelle,17 beta Estradiol,17 beta Oestradiol,Estradiol 17 alpha,Estradiol 17 beta,Estradiol 17beta,Progynon Depot
D005260	Female		Females

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