石鲽脑垂体组织生理学研究

石鲽(Kareius bicoloratus)脑垂体呈鸡心形,由神经垂体和腺垂体两部分组成。腺垂体又包括前外侧部(RPD)、中外侧部(PPD)和垂体中间部(PI)。神经纤维束延伸至腺垂体的各个部分。采用HE、Jafri、HA、Mallory和PAS染色法,结合免疫组织化学方法,对石鲽脑垂体的6种内分泌细胞进行鉴别和定位。RPD部位主要含有PRL和ACTH细胞,PI部位主要含有MSH细胞。PPD部位有4类细胞,分别为GH、Gt H、TSH和嫌色细胞。GH、Gt H和TSH细胞数量随鱼体生长发育而变化,Gt H在性腺成熟期达到高峰,GH细胞和TSH细胞在生长早期数量多。     

长吻鮠脑垂体的组织学观察

应用Azan、PAS-MB、AF以及H．E染色方法，时长吻鮠脑垂体的形态组织结构和注射催产激素前后的GTH分泌细胞分别进行了观察研究。结果表明。长吻鮠脑垂体由腺垂体和神经垂体构成。神经垂体较简单,腺垂体结构较复杂，明显分为前腺垂体（RPD）、中腺垂体（PPD）和后腺垂体（PI）。腺垂体内可鉴别出7种激素分泌细胞，其中RPD内2种：为促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）分泌细胞和催乳激素（PROL）分泌细胞；PPD内3种：为生长激素（GH）分泌细胞、促甲状腺激素（TSH）分泌细胞、促性腺激素（GTH）分泌细胞；PI内有2种：为促黑色素激素（MSH）分泌细胞和1种嫌色细胞。     

大黄鱼脑垂体组织学与免疫组织化学

用组织学和免疫组织化学方法研究不同发育时期大黄鱼（Pseudosciaena crocea）脑垂体的形态结构和各种促激素分泌细胞的分布。结果表明：（1）大黄鱼脑垂体呈“鸡心“形,由神经垂体和腺垂体组成,腺垂体可分为前外侧部（RPD）、中外侧部（PPD）和垂体中间部（PI）。（2）RPD部有3种细胞,分别为催乳激素（PRL）细胞,促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）细胞,促性腺激素（GtH）细胞。（3）PPD部位于腺垂体腹面,也有3种细胞,其中1种为促生长激素（GH）分泌细胞,呈嗜酸性,另2种呈嗜碱性,分别为GtH细胞与促甲状腺激素（TSH）分泌细胞。（4）垂体中间部有2种细胞,1种为促黑激素（MSH）细胞,呈嗜酸性,另1种为GtH细胞,呈嗜碱性。随性腺发育成熟,大黄鱼GtH细胞的分布从中外侧部扩展至前外侧部和中间部背面;GtH细胞胞质空泡可作为其分泌活动的标志。     

长吻鮠不同时期脑垂体的超微结构

采用组织学方法和透射电镜技术对性周期内不同阶段和不同季节的雌性长吻鮠(Leiocassis longirostris)脑垂体的超微结构进行较详细的研究，结果表明：长吻鮠脑垂体包括腺垂体和神经垂体两个部分，腺垂体组织中有6种分泌细胞，即促性腺激素(GTH)分泌细胞、生长激素(STH)分泌细胞、促甲状腺激素(TSH)分泌细胞、促黑色素细胞刺激激素(MSH)分泌细胞、催乳激素(PRL)分泌细胞、促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)分泌细胞。神经垂体组织中存在A型(A1、T2)和B型神经分泌纤维，A型分泌纤维轴突中具有不同类型的分泌颗粒，B型分泌纤维轴突中含有许多透明小囊泡。产卵前GTH细胞胞质中充满了电子密度较高的大、小两种分泌颗粒；TSH细胞胞质中分泌颗粒排空，电子密度降低，出现大空泡；STH细胞处于活跃的合成和分泌状态；MSH细胞粗面内质网相当发达，成层围核分布，分泌颗粒极少；PRL细胞电子密度高，具圆球形被膜的分泌颗粒；ACTH细胞分泌物颗粒数量少。产卵后GTH细胞中的分泌颗粒排空；TSH细胞出现空泡；STH细胞中的粗面内质网围核环状排列；MSH细胞分泌颗粒多但比较小，粗面内质网呈扁状或网状；PRL细胞分泌颗粒极少，分布不均匀；ACTH细胞内质网近核分布。秋季GTH细胞中发现GTH1和GTH2两种细胞，GTH1细胞具有大量围核分布的分泌颗粒，GTH2细胞胞质中分泌颗粒数量较少；STH细胞胞质中粗面内质网极发达，围核分布，线粒体数量增加；TSH细胞内质网膨大成泡状；MSH细胞有明显的双核结构，其中一核具核仁，胞质内分泌颗粒较产后增多；PRL细胞具有呈不均匀分布的圆球形分泌颗粒；ACTH细胞线粒体与内质网围核分布，分泌颗粒较少，不均匀分布于细胞质中。冬季GTH细胞内有少量分泌颗粒散布在核周围；TSH细胞含有较多的小型分泌颗粒，胞核外周有大量长条形的粗面内质网；STH细胞中分泌颗粒数量较少，合成和分泌活动微弱；MSH细胞粗面内质网呈泡化状，绕核排列；PRL细胞、ACTH细胞和秋季时的超微结构无明显差异。神经垂体中的分泌纤维各阶段也有一定的变化，产前阶段具有较多球形的无被膜分泌颗粒，产后阶段分泌颗粒呈现排空，秋季部分可见到分泌颗粒，但数量相对较少，冬季变化不明显。     

尼罗非鲫腺垂体中外侧部的超微结构

取越冬前期、越冬期、初春期及夏季高温期3龄雌性尼罗非鲫(Oreochromisnilotica),对其腺垂体中外侧部的超微结构进行观察分析。其中外侧部主要由生长激素(GH)分泌细胞、促甲状腺激素(TSH)分泌细胞和促性腺激素(GTH)分泌细胞所组成。对脑垂体结构的年周期观察结果表明,在卵黄发生期和成熟期阶段,GH细胞处于活跃状态;产卵期间,TSH细胞与GTH细胞显示了同步的高度活跃,TSH分泌可直接促进排卵活动。并讨论各类腺细胞的超微结构特征及分泌颗粒释放方式的特点。     

中华鳖脑垂体的显微与超微结构观察

为了探讨中华鳖脑垂体的组织结构及其季节性变化,采用H.E染色、三色染色和免疫组织化学染色法在光镜下观察中华鳖脑垂体的显微结构,结合电镜对鳖脑垂体进行超微显微观察。结果发现中华鳖脑垂体同样分为神经垂体和腺垂体,但是缺乏中间部。腺垂体包括结节部和远侧部,远侧部可分头叶和尾叶两部分,头叶大于尾叶,神经部很小。腺垂体中的细胞可分为嗜酸性细胞、嗜碱性细胞和嫌色细胞,各类细胞的分布和形态有明显区别。免疫组化染色证明促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)细胞密集分布于结节部,在远侧部也有零星分布;促性腺激素(GTH)细胞和生长激素(GH)细胞数量在繁殖季节明显多于冬季。电镜下根据细胞大小、细胞核的形状和胞质中分泌颗粒特征可将腺垂体中的细胞分为GH细胞、ACTH细胞、GTH细胞、催乳激素(LTH)细胞、促甲状腺激素(TSH)细胞和嫌色细胞。在这些细胞间有明显的细胞连接。细胞形态和数量在繁殖季节和冬季有明显变化。     

牙鲆脑垂体早期发育的组织学观察

垂体作为鱼类最重要的内分泌器官之一,在生长、发育、生殖以及其他一些内分泌相关生理活动中起重要作用。作者采用组织学方法观察了牙鲆的脑垂体发生,对不同发育时期的腺垂体细胞进行了初步鉴定。结果表明,孵化后1d仔鱼的间脑下方可见一实心细胞团,于孵化后3d迁移至间脑后方的漏斗体下,与来自漏斗体的神经内分泌细胞及其神经纤维结合共同形成脑垂体,前者形成腺垂体,后者则主要形成神经垂体。孵化后8d腺垂体分为中间部(Pars intermedia,PI)和外侧部(Pars distalis,PD)两部分。孵化后14d腺垂体分化为前外侧部(Rostral pars distalis,RPD)、中外侧部(Proximal pars distalis,PPD)和PI共3部分,为"前后型"脑垂体。稚鱼变态期间及变态完成后的幼鱼,各部分从"前后型"排列开始向"背腹型"排列转变。孵化后14d的牙鲆仔鱼中,PPD细胞多呈强嗜酸性,至变态完成后一直是PPD的主要细胞;PI靠近神经纤维的细胞呈强嗜碱性。孵化后42d的牙鲆幼鱼RPD中,与神经垂体相邻的少量细胞呈嗜碱性,而其下方细胞则呈嗜酸性。根据成体牙鲆激素分泌细胞的染色特征对上述各细胞类型进行了推测。     

17β-雌二醇和甲基睾酮对离体长臀(鱼危)脑垂体促性腺激素分泌的影响

性类固醇激素对性腺发育期间的鱼类促性腺激素(GTH)分泌有负反馈作用,而对性未成熟的鱼类GTH分泌有正反馈作用.本实验选取性腺发育中期的长臀(鱼危)(Cranoglanis bouderius)进行研究,将实验用鱼分成4组(实验重复3次,每组共用6尾鱼,):①持续性17β-雌二醇(17β-Estradiol,E2)处理;②E2在注入促性腺激素释放激素类似物(Analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone,GnRH-A)脉冲刺激的处理;③持续性甲基睾酮(17α-methyltestosterone,MT)处理;④MT在注入GnRH-A脉冲刺激的处理;采用离体灌流孵育和GTH放射免疫测定的方法研究E2和MT对长臀(鱼危)脑垂体GTH分泌的影响.持续性的E2(1μmol/L)处理能显著性地抑制长臀(鱼危)脑垂体碎片基础GTH的分泌,而持续性的MT(1μmmol/L)处理能抑制长臀(鱼危)3脑垂体碎片基础GTH的分泌,同时E2和MT处理能抑制GnRH-A刺激的GTH分泌,而高浓度的E2和MT处理(10μmol/L)要比低浓度的E2和MT处理(0.1μmol/L)对长臀(鱼危)脑垂体碎片基础GTH释放抑制能力强.这些结果表明,在离体实验中,E2和MT对性腺发育中期的长臀(鱼危)脑垂体的GTH的分泌具有负反馈的作用,并且可能直接参与了长臀(鱼危)脑垂体的GTH调节.     

17β-雌二醇和甲基睾酮对离体长臀脑垂体促性腺激素分泌的影响

性类固醇激素对性腺发育期间的鱼类促性腺激素(GTH)分泌有负反馈作用,而对性未成熟的鱼类GTH分泌有正反馈作用.本实验选取性腺发育中期的长臀(鱼危)(Cranoglanis bouderius)进行研究,将实验用鱼分成4组(实验重复3次,每组共用6尾鱼,)①持续性17β-雌二醇(17β-Estradiol,E2)处理;②E2在注入促性腺激素释放激素类似物(Analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone,GnRH-A)脉冲刺激的处理;③持续性甲基睾酮(17α-methyltestosterone,MT)处理;④MT在注入GnRH-A脉冲刺激的处理;采用离体灌流孵育和GTH放射免疫测定的方法研究E2和MT对长臀(鱼危)脑垂体GTH分泌的影响.持续性的E2(1μmol/L)处理能显著性地抑制长臀(鱼危)脑垂体碎片基础GTH的分泌,而持续性的MT(1μmmol/L)处理能抑制长臀(鱼危)3脑垂体碎片基础GTH的分泌,同时E2和MT处理能抑制GnRH-A刺激的GTH分泌,而高浓度的E2和MT处理(10μmol/L)要比低浓度的E2和MT处理(0.1μmol/L)对长臀(鱼危)脑垂体碎片基础GTH释放抑制能力强.这些结果表明,在离体实验中,E2和MT对性腺发育中期的长臀(鱼危)脑垂体的GTH的分泌具有负反馈的作用,并且可能直接参与了长臀(鱼危)脑垂体的GTH调节.     

17β－雌二醇和甲基睾酮对离体长臀鮠脑垂体促性腺激素分泌的影响

性类固醇激素对性腺发育期间的鱼类促性腺激素(GTH)分泌有负反馈作用，而对性未成熟的鱼类GTH分泌有正反馈作用。本实验选取性腺发育中期的长臀鮠(Cranoglanis bouderius)进行研究，将实验用鱼分成4组(实验重复3次，每组共用6尾鱼，)：①持续性17β-雌二醇(17β-Estradiol，E2)处理；②E2在注入促性腺激素释放激素类似物(Analogue of gonadotropin—releasing hormone，GnRH-A)脉冲刺激的处理；③持续性甲基睾酮(17α-methyltestosterone，MT)处理；④MT在注入GnRH-A脉冲刺激的处理；采用离体灌流孵育和GTH放射免疫测定的方法研究E2和MT对长臀鮠脑垂体GTH分泌的影响。持续性的E2(1μmol／L)处理能显著性地抑制长臀鮠脑垂体碎片基础GTH的分泌，而持续性的MT(1μmmol／L)处理能抑制长臀鮠脑垂体碎片基础GTH的分泌，同时E2和MT处理能抑制GnRH-A刺激的GTH分泌，而高浓度的E2和MT处理(10μmol／L)要比低浓度的E2和MT处理(0．1μmol／L)对长臀鮠脑垂体碎片基础GTH释放抑制能力强。这些结果表明，在离体实验中，E2和MT对性腺发育中期的长臀鮠脑垂体的GTH的分泌具有负反馈的作用，并且可能直接参与了长臀鮠脑垂体的GTH调节。     

Induced Ovulation and Spawning in the Catfish,Clarias isheriensis,Using Pituitary Extracts from Non-piscine Sources

Acetone-dried pituitary extracts obtained from non-piscine sources- the common toad, Bufo regularis; the African bullfrog, Rana adspersa; and chicken, Gallus domesticus, were evaluated as alternative inducement agents to piscine-sourced pituitary extracts to spawn Clarias isheriensis. A single dose of 4 mg of dry pituitary extract per kilogram of female was injected intraperitoneally, and it induced ovulation and spawning in all treatments; there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in percent fertilization of eggs. All pituitary extracts were effective in inducing ovulation and spawning in C. isheriensis and, therefore, can be used as alternative sources of pituitary hormones.     

大鳍鳠脑垂体和血清生长激素水平的季节变化

根据大鳍脑垂体匀浆和血清样品的稀释曲线与鲤生长激素（ｃＧＨ）标准曲线的平行性,采用鲤生长激素的标准品和抗血清（ＲＡＧ）测定了周年中几个不同时期大鳍脑垂体和血清样品的生长激素（ＧＨ）含量,发现脑垂体和血清中的ＧＨ含量均表现出明显的季节变化。脑垂体的ＧＨ含量分别在３月份和８月份出现两个峰。４～７月的繁殖期和１１～１月的越冬期间,脑垂体的ＧＨ含量很低,而且波动不大。受水温和光周期的影响,大鳍血清ＧＨ水平表现为从冬季（１１～１月）到春季（２～４月）逐渐上升,夏季急剧升高,到夏末（７月底）达到最高,一直持续到秋季。大鳍血清ＧＨ含量的变化与生殖周期密切相关,最低的ＧＨ含量出现在性腺静止期,其次为性腺发育期,再次为性腺成熟期,在产卵期急剧升高,最高为性腺退化期。     

Role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the regulation of reproduction: study based on catfish model

Significance of NPY in the regulation of GnRH–LH axis was evaluated. Considerable NPY immunoreactivity was seen in the components like olfactory system, basal telencephalon, preoptic and tuberal areas, and the pituitary gland that serve as neuroanatomical substrates for processing reproductive information. Close anatomical association as well as colocalizations of NPY and GnRH were seen in the olfactory receptor neurons, olfactory nerve fibers and their terminals in the glomeruli, ganglion cells of nervus terminalis, medial olfactory tracts, fibers in the ventral telencephalon and pituitary. In the pituitary, NPY fibers seem to innervate the GnRH as well as LH cells. Intracranial administration of NPY resulted in significant increase in the GnRH immunoreactivity in all the components of the olfactory system. In the pituitary, NPY augmented the population of GnRH fibers and LH cells. HPLC analysis showed that salmon GnRH content in the olfactory organ, bulb, preoptic area+telencephalon and pituitary was also significantly increased following NPY treatment. NPY may play a role in positive regulation of GnRH throughout the neuraxis and also up-regulate the LH cells in the pituitary.     

Artificial spawning of female Polish line 3 carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) after treatment with pituitary homogenate and/or Ovopel

Stimulation of ovulation was carried out in female carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) of Polish line 3, with carp pituitary homogenate, Ovopel (the preparation contains d ‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹NEt‐mGnRH and metoclopramide), and Ovopel and carp pituitary homogenate. The effect of the ovulation stimulators on the weight of eggs expressed in grams and as a percentage of female body weight was determined. The effect of the treatments on the quality of eggs expressed as the percentage of living embryos after 24‐ and 36‐h incubation was also determined. The best results were obtained after stimulation with Ovopel (the priming dose) and pituitary homogenate (the resolving dose). In this case all the females spawned, and the highest yield and quality of eggs were recorded. The poorest results were noted if the ovulation was stimulated with repeated injection of carp pituitary homogenate. The females treated with carp pituitary homogenate gave eggs of poorer quality than those stimulated with two doses of Ovopel or with Ovopel and pituitary homogenate. The percentage of living embryos after 24‐ and 36‐h incubation of eggs was significantly higher for the group stimulated with Ovopel and pituitary homogenate than for the other treatments.     

Effects of Seasonal Variations, Thyroid and Steroid Hormones, and Carp Pituitary Extract on the Artificial Production of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus× Blue Catfish I. furcatus Hybrids

The primary objective was to compare thyroid hormones and levels of carp pituitary extract for the artificial production of female Ictalurus punctatus × male I. furcatus hybrid catfish. The effects of different carp pituitary extract dosage rates (5, 6, 9, and 10 mg/kg), carp pituitary extract (6 and 10 mg/kg) supplemented with the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃), or pregnenolone (DHP) were determined for inducing ovulation of female channel catfish, fertilization of channel catfish eggs with male blue catfish sperm, and hatching rate of these embryos. Hormone treatments thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine with carp pituitary extract, carp pituitary extract alone, and pregnenolone with carp pituitary extract used to artificially produce hybrid catfish were not different in terms of ovulation rates, eggs/kg, fry/kg body weight of female channel catfish, fertilization rates, or hatching rates (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that lower amounts of carp pituitary extract may be used to induce spawn of female channel catfish for production of channel-blue catfish hybrids and the addition of thyroid and steroid hormones is ineffective at the rates used in this study.     

Ovulation induction in northern pike Esox lucius L. using different GnRH analogues, Ovaprim, Dagin and carp pituitary

The traditional GnRH analogue treatments applying the chemicals in pure form proved to be ineffective in inducing ovulation in northern pike (Esox lucius L). Neither mGnRHa ([D‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹NEt]‐mGnRH) nor sGnRHa ([D‐Arg⁶, Pro⁹‐Net]‐sGnRH) administered alone or together with pimozide (mGnRHa), metoclopramide (mGnRHa) or domperidone (sGnRHa) induced ovulation in females, whereas in groups receiving a carp pituitary injection most females ovulated. Spawning‐inducing agent Dagin did not induce ovulation, whereas all but one female ovulated in the carp pituitary‐treated group. Treatment with another preparation, Ovaprim, resulted in similar or lower ovulation ratio than treatment with carp pituitary. After the Ovaprim treatment, time to ovulation was not as predictable as after the carp pituitary injection. The mean fertilization rate was relatively low and similar in the groups treated with Ovaprim (54.7 ± 12.3% and 58.7 ± 19.1% for the first and second experiment respectively) and with carp pituitary (53.7 ± 10.5% and 58.9 ± 14.9%). The mean pseudogonadosomatic index (PGSI) was also similar between the Ovaprim‐treated group (14.5 ± 6.1%) and the carp pituitary‐treated one (17.9 ± 4.1%). In the present experiments, treatment with Ovaprim was less effective than that with carp pituitary.     

LHRH-A、DA对施氏鲟脑垂体碎片释放GtH的影响

为了探讨在古老的软骨硬鳞鱼中促性腺激素(GtH)的双重内分泌调节作用,本实验设计用离体灌流的方法研究促黄体素释放激素类似物(LHRH-A)和多巴胺(DA)对施氏鲟脑垂体碎片分泌GtH的影响。引入10、100和1 000 nmol/L 3个浓度的LHRH-A对施氏鲟脑垂体碎片3次脉冲式刺激实验;每次间隔1 h,持续5 min,研究不同剂量LHRH-A对鲟鱼脑垂体释放GtH的作用;用200 nmol/L DA对施氏鲟脑垂体碎片持续2 h灌流后引入5 min的1 000nmol/L LHRH-A刺激实验,研究DA如何抑制鲟鱼脑垂体释放GtH。每5 min收集一管灌流液,用放射免疫测定法(RIA)检测灌流液中GtH的含量。结果显示,低剂量LHRH-A随着刺激引入脑垂体释放GtH出现波浪式的增加,中、高剂量出现释放延后现象。LHRH-A在10nmol/L到1 000 nmol/L范围内对刺激脑垂体释放GtH没有剂量依存关系。DA对施氏鲟脑垂体碎片GtH的分泌没有显著影响,但是可以抑制LHRH-A引起的GtH分泌,即DA不能抑制施氏鲟GtH的基础分泌,而只能抑制LHRH-A诱导的GtH分泌。研究结果证明,在高等硬骨鱼类中存在的双重神经内分泌调节在古老的鲟鱼中也存在。     

Positive feedback control by the gonads on gonadotropin (GTH) and gonadoliberin (GnRH) levels in experimentally matured female silver eels,Anguilla anguilla

Treatment of sham-operated female silver eels with carp pituitary extract stimulated ovarian development and induced increases in pituitary gonadotropin (GTH) and gonadoliberin (GnRH) contents. Both effects of carp pituitary extract were abolished in ovariectomized eels, indicating the involvement of the gonads. Endogenous sexual steroids, the secretion of which was increased during sexual maturation, should be responsible for the stimulation of GTH and GnRH levels. Ovariectomy itself had no significant effect on pituitary GTH and GnRH contents, reflecting the fact that, at the silver stage, sexual steroid levels are too low to exert any significant effect on pituitary GTH and GnRH. The positive feedback control exerted by the gonads on GTH and GnRH levels during sexual maturation, in the eel as well as in some other teleosts, would produce an amplification of the pubertal stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis.     

Gonadotropins I and II in juvenile coho salmon

The present study was designed to obtain basic endocrine information on GTH I and GTH II in previtellogenic and prespermatogenic coho salmon (immature). Levels of GTH II in pituitary extracts were 6.5 ± 2.0 and 6.7 ± 2.0 pg/μg pituitary protein in male and female fish, respectively. In contrast, the pituitary content of GTH I was approximately 100-fold higher than GTH II (1.302 ± .22 and 1.173 ± .21 ng/μg pituitary protein in male and female fish, respectively). Plasma levels of GTH II in immature salmon were not detectable by RIA whereas plasma GTH I levels were approximately 0.62 ± 0.12 and 0.78 ± 0.13 ng/ml in male and female fish, respectively. Highly purified coho salmon GTH I and GTH II stimulated testicular testosterone production and ovarian estradiol productionin vitro in a similar manner, though GTH II appeared more potent than GTH I. Therefore, it appears that although the salmon pituitary contains predominantly GTH I prior to puberty, the gonad can respond to both GTH I and GTH II.     

Pituitary gland morphogenesis and ontogeny of adenohypophyseal cells of Salminus brasiliensis (Teleostei,Characiformes)

In this study, we describe for the first time the details of the pituitary gland morphogenesis and the ontogeny of adenohypophyseal cells of a South American Characiform species with great importance for Brazilian Aquaculture, Salminus brasiliensis (Characiformes, Characidae), from hatching to 25 days after hatching (dah), by histochemical and immunocytochemical methods. The pituitary placode was first detected at hatching (0 dah), and the pituitary anlage became more defined at 0.5 dah. The neurohypophysis (NH) development started at 3 dah, and the early formation of its stalk at 12.5 dah. An increase in adenohypophyseal and NH tissues was also observed, and in juveniles at 25 dah, the pituitary displayed similar morphology to that found in adults of this species, displaying the main features of the teleost pituitary. PRL cells were detected at 0.5 dah, together with ACTH and α-MSH cells, followed by GH and SL cells at 1.5 dah. β-FSH cells were detected at 25 dah, while β-LH cells at 5 dah. The pituitary development in this species comprises a dynamic process similar to other teleosts. Our findings in S. brasiliensis corroborate the heterogeneity in the ontogeny of adenohypophyseal cells in teleosts and suggest a role for adenohypophyseal hormones in the early development of this species.