Lesions in the hypothalamus after active immunisation against GnRH in the pig.

The terminals of the hypothalamic gonadotrophin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are located within the median eminence and thereby extend beyond the protection of the blood-brain barrier. Thus, these terminals may be subjected to direct autoimmune action in animals that are actively immunised against GnRH. Boars (male pigs) (n = 108) were actively immunised against GnRH by two successive injections with synthetic GnRH, covalently coupled to KLH and dissolved in CFA or IFA.

The supraoptic nucleus in the pig hypothalamus: postnatal development and the effect of gonadal steroids.

Postnatal development of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) in the pig hypothalamus was studied morphometrically. The volume of the SON increased from 6.2 +/- 0.

Influence of gonadectomy and testosterone supplementation on the postnatal development of the vasopressin and oxytocin-containing nucleus of the pig hypothalamus.

We have studied the effects of gonadectomy and testoterone supplementation on the development of the vasopressin- and oxytocin-containing nucleus (VON) of the pig hypothalamus that shows a decrease in neuron number during the first weeks postnatally, followed by an increase during puberty. Neonatal gonadectomy caused a 2.5-fold increase in VON volume and neuron number in males and 3-fold in females at the age of 16 weeks, the onset of puberty.