Extra-pituitary midline structural abnormalities associated with ectopic posterior pituitary detected on a new rapid MRI protocol (FAST1.2)

ABSTRACT Objective: Test if the MRI FAST1.2 protocol can detect extra-pituitary midline structural brain abnormalities in patients with ectopic posterior pituitary (EPP), and highlighting their radiological-laboratory correlations. Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with EPP and control group. All individuals were submitted to FAST1.2, which combines the FAST1 protocol developed by our group with 3D T2DRIVE imaging. Results: We evaluated 36 individuals with EPP and 78 as control group. Pituitary stalk (PS) was identified in 7/36 patients in EPP group by FAST1, and in 24/36 patients in FAST1.2 (p < 0.001). FAST1 failed to detect PS in one individual in the control group, while the FAST1.2 defined the PS in all individuals. In EPP group, eleven had interhypothalamic adhesion (IHA), three septo-optic dysplasia, and one cerebellar malformation. We didn't observe higher frequency of panhypopituitarism or developmental delay in patients with IHA. In control group, three had pars intermedia cysts, one hydrocephalus, and one hypothalamic hamartoma. Conclusions: FAST1.2 allows confident recognition of midline structural abnormalities, including the pituitary stalk and IHA, thereby making MRI acquisition faster and with no need for contrast administration. IHA could be associated with defects in neuronal migration, as occur in patients with EPP, with no clinical significance.

A DELAYED PRESENTATION OF POSTERIOR HYPOPITUITARISM FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY – A CASE REPORT OF A 24 YEAR OLD ASIAN FEMALE.

Background: Cases of post traumatic hypopituitarism are rarely contemplated in the Indian subcontinent. However global literatures disclose that the incidence rate of hypopituitarism following traumatic brain injury is around 15-30%. Most hospitals do not routinely screen patients for pituitary dysfunction following traumatic brain injury due to the lack of proper protocol supporting the same. Hence large number of cases with varying pituitary abnormalities is procrastinated, which could have been otherwise bene?ted from early interventions. This case is a classic example of delayed exhibition of posterior hypopituitarism post traumatic brain injury, which has signi?cantly compromised the quality of life of the patient in later stage due to the failure of timely screening. Case Presentation:This is a case of 24 year old female who sustained a traumatic brain injury 3 years ago allegedly due to domestic abuse. The patient presented to the urology department with the complaints of polyuria, polydipsia, secondary amenorrhea, sleep disturbance and weight gain for 6-7 months. The patient was not under regular follow-up for the traumatic injury. On further evaluation, all the anterior pituitary hormones were found to be normal. We further investigated the case with biochemical investigations and an MRI of brain (plain and contrast) which showed a thickened enhancing pituitary stalk with absence of posterior pituitary bright spot with a normal anterior pituitary gland – suggestive of Central Diabetes Insipidus. Upon initiation with Desmopressin, the patient showed signi?cant symptomatic improvement. Conclusion:One of the most common complications of traumatic brain injury is hypopituitarism. Early screening for hypopituitarism in such cases will help us intervene early and improve the quality of life of the patients.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies of pituicytomas / 医学研究生学报

Objective Reports are rarely seen on the clinical studies of pituicytomas. This article discusses the clinical diagnosis, treatment strategies, pathological features and postoperative complications of pituicytomas. Methods This retrospective study included 10 cases of pituicytomas treated in our hospital from July 2008 to July 2018. All the patients underwent microsurgery, gross total resection of the tumor in 6 cases and subtotal resection in the other 4. We analyzed the histopathological features, postoperative complications and follow-up data of the patients. Results The tumors were tightly organized morphologically, consisting of bipolar spindle-shaped cells, arranged like crosswise-woven fiber bundles or in a storiform pattern, the cytoplasm stained red and eosinophilic, the nuclei medium-sized, round, oval or spindle shaped, mildly heterotypical, with visible microencapsulation and abundant interstitial blood vessels. The main postoperative complications included insipidus in 8 cases, hyponatremia in 4, decreased visual acuity in 3, hypopituitarism in 2, and intracranial infection in 1. Of the 9 patients followed up, 1 experienced recurrence at 2 years postoperatively and received another surgery, with no more recurrence hitherto. Conclusion Definite diagnosis of pituicytoma depends on pathological examination, and adequate attention should be paid to the prevention and management of such postoperative complications as insipidus and hyponatremia.

Clinical Observation of Posterior Pituitary Injection Combined with Ulinastatin for Injection in the Treat-ment of Severe Lung Contusion / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Posterior pituitary injection combined with Ulina-station for injection in the treatment of severe lung contusion. METHODS:In retrospective study,60 patients with severe lung con-tusion in our hospital from Jan. 2015 to May 2016 were divided into control group and observation group according to therapy plan,with 30 cases in each group. Control group was given Ulinastation for injection 100 thousand U+0.9% Sodium chloride injec-tion 100 mL,ivgtt,bid. Observation group was additionally given Posterior pituitary injection 6 U+0.9% Sodium chloride injection 49 mL,intravenous pumping (initial rate was 0.008 U/min,adjusted to ≤0.04 U/min),bid,on the basis of control group. Both groups were treated for 1 week. The respiratory frequency,simple score of pulmonary contusion,chest X-ray score,the levels of arterial blood gas indexes(PaO2,PaCO2,SaO2,PO2/FiO2)and inflammation indexes(IL-2,IL-6,IL-10,hs-CRP,TNF-α)before and after treatment as well as clinical efficacy were observed in 2 groups. The occurrence of ADR was recorded. RESULTS:Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in respiratory frequency,simple score of pulmonary contusion,chest X-ray score, the levels of arterial blood gas index or inflammation indexes between 2 groups(P>0.05). After treatment,respiratory frequency, simple score of pulmonary contusion,chest X-ray score,and the levels of IL-6,hs-CRP,TNF-αin 2 groups were decreased signif-icantly,and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). The lev-els of PaO2,PaCO2,SaO2,PO2/FiO2,IL-2 and IL-10 in 2 groups were increased significantly,and the observation group was sig-nificantly higher than the control group,with statistical significance (P<0.05). Total response rate of observation group (100%) was significantly higher than that of control group(86.67%),with statistical significance(P<0.05). The incidence of ADR in con-trol group(13.33%)was significantly higher than observation group(6.67%),with statistical significance(P<0.05). CONCLU-SIONS:Posterior pituitary injection combined with Ulinastatin for injection show good therapeutic efficacy for severe lung contu-sion and effectively inhibit inflammatory reaction with good safety.

Two novel heterozygous missense variations within the GLI2 gene in two unrelated argentine patients / Two novel heterozygous missense variations within the GLI2 gene in two unrelated Argentine patients

Several heterozygous GLI2 gene mutations have been reported in patients with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) or multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) with or without other malformations. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the presence of GLI2 gene alterations in a cohort of patients with IGHD or MPHD and ectopic/absent posterior pituitary. The coding sequence and flanking intronic regions of GLI2 gene were amplified and directly sequenced from gDNA of 18 affected subjects and relatives. In silico tools were applied to identify the functional impact of newly found variants (Polyphen2, SIFT, Mutation Taster). We identified two novel heterozygous missense variations in two unrelated patients, p.Arg231Gln and p.Arg226Leu, located in the repressor domain of the protein. Both variations affect highly conserved amino acids of the Gli2 protein and were not found in the available databases. In silico tools suggest that these variations might be disease causing. Our study suggests that the GLI2 gene may be one of the candidate genes to analyze when an association of pituitary hormone deficiency and developmental defects in posterior pituitary gland. The highly variable phenotype found suggests the presence of additional unknown factors that could contribute to the phenotype observed in these patients.

Mutaciones heterocigotas en el gen GLI2 fueron previamente comunicadas como causa de déficit aislado de hormona de crecimiento (IGHD) o déficit múltiple de hormonas hipofisarias (MPHD), con o sin otras malformaciones. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la presencia de alteraciones en el gen GLI2 en un grupo de pacientes con IGHD o MPHD acompañado de neurohipófisis ectópica o ausente. La secuencia codificante y las regiones intrónicas flanqueantes del gen GLI2 fueron amplificadas y secuenciadas de manera directa a partir de ADN genómico extraído de sangre periférica proveniente de 18 sujetos afectados y sus familiares. Se utilizaron herramientas informáticas para predecir el impacto funcional de las nuevas variantes encontradas (Polyphen2, SIFT, Mutation Taster). Identificamos dos nuevas variantes heterocigotas con pérdida de sentido en dos pacientes no relacionados, p.Arg231Gln y p.Arg226Leu, localizadas en el dominio represor de la proteína. Estas variantes afectan aminoácidos altamente conservados en la secuencia proteica de GLI2 y no se encuentran informadas en las bases de datos disponibles. Las herramientas informáticas utilizadas sugieren que estas variantes pueden ser la causa del desarrollo de la enfermedad. Nuestro resultados indican que el gen GLI2 es uno de los genes candidatos a estudiar cuando existe una asociación entre déficit de hormonas hipofisarias y alteraciones en el desarrollo de la neurohipófisis. Se sugiere la existencia de otros factores adicionales que podrían contribuir a la variabilidad del fenotipo observado.

Autosomal dominant familial neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus caused by a novel mutation in arginine-vasopressin gene in a Brazilian family / Diabetes insípido neuro-hipofisário familial causado por uma nova mutação no gene da arginina-vasopressina em uma família brasileira

Autosomal dominant familial neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus (adFNDI) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by polyuria and polydipsia due to deficiency of arginine vasopressin (AVP). More than 50 mutations causing adFNDI have been already reported in the AVP gene. The aim of the present study is to analyze the AVP gene in four generations of one Brazilian kindred with adFNDI. The proband was a 31-year old female with huge hypotonic polyuria (10 L/day) dated from childhood. Molecular analysis included amplification of all exons and exon-intron regions of the AVP gene by PCR and direct sequencing. Sequencing analysis showed a novel point mutation in heterozygous: G88V (GGC>GTC). All affected patients presented the same mutation also in heterozygous, while it was absent in four normal members. We expand the repertoire of mutations in AVP describing the novel G88V mutation in one Brazilian kindred with adFNDI.

Diabetes insípido neuro-hipofisário com herança autossômica dominante (adFNDI) é uma doença autossômica dominante rara, caracterizada por poliúria e polidipsia devido à deficiência de arginina-vasopressina (AVP). Mais de 50 mutações causando adFNDI foram descritas no gene AVP. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o gene AVP em quatro gerações de uma família brasileira com DINF. O caso-índice é de uma paciente de 31 anos, com volumosa poliúria hipotônica desde a infância (10 L/dia). A análise molecular incluiu amplificação por PCR e seqüenciamento automático dos éxons e regiões éxon-íntron do gene AVP. A análise do seqüenciamento mostrou uma nova mutação de ponto em heterozigose: G88V (GGC>GTC). Todos os pacientes afetados apresentaram a mesma mutação, que não foi encontrada em quatro indivíduos normais da família. Expandimos a lista de mutações no gene AVP, descrevendo a nova mutação G88V em uma família brasileira com adFNDI.

Impacto do traumatismo cranioencefálico nas funções adeno e neuroipofisárias / Impact of traumatic brain injury in anterior and posterior pituitary functions

Chama a atenção que, apesar da freqüência com que ocorrem os traumatismos cranioencefálicos (TCE), haja tão poucos estudos a respeito das complicações neuroendócrinas deles decorrentes. Tanto deficiência neuroipofisária, com diabetes insípidus, como deficiências adenoipofisárias podem fazer-se presentes e o tempo decorrente entre o traumatismo e as manifestações neuroendócrinas pode ser muito variável, chegando a ocorrer décadas após o evento. A possibilidade de tais complicações nunca deve passar despercebida ao profissional que atende o paciente, pois, muitas vezes, nem o paciente se recorda mais do evento traumático prévio e cuidadosa anamnese pode recuperar esta importante informação. Não devemos esquecer, também, que acidentes esportivos ou hemorragias subaracnóideas podem também gerar seqüelas neurológicas e, eventualmente, neuroendócrinas.

A Case of Teratocarcinoma with Central Diabetes Insipidus / 소아과

Central diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder that can result as a consequence of diverse etiologies, including malformations, autoimmune, infiltrative(e.g. neoplastic or histiocytosis) or traumatic processes, as well as mutations in the gene encoding arginine vasopressin. Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus is a diagnosis of exclusion, one that has been made less frequently through the decades. Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus in children and adolescent requires a frequent follow-up regimen using serial brain MRI and CSF examinations especially if an isolated pituitary stalk thickening or loss of a hyperintense signal in the posterior lobe is observed. Also, so-called "idiopathic" central diabetes insipidus warrants close follow-up to determine the etiology, especially if anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies are detected. We report a case of idiopathic central diabetes insipidus with growth hormone deficiency and loss of a hyperintense signal in the posterior lobe of pituitary in the brain MRI. We followed up with serial contrast enhanced brain MRI and CSF evaluation for the early detection of an evolving occult hypothalamic-stalk lesion and finally detected a newly developed teratocarcinoma in the suprasellar region.

A Case of Congenital Hypopituitarism with Anterior Pituitary Aplasia and Ectopic Posterior Pituitary Gland / 대한소아내분비학회지

Congenital hypopituitarism is a rare disorder with absence or reduction of hormones produced by the pituitary gland. The clinical manifestations are hypoglycemia, prolonged jaundice, hyponatremia, micropenis, underdeveloped clitoris, lethargy, convulsion, pallor, cyanosis, apnea, hypotension, temperature instability etc. in neonates and growth failure, delayed or absent puberty in older infants and children. We experienced a case of congenital hypopituitarism who was a 20-year-old male patient with short stature and delayed puberty. Combined pituitary function test revealed panhypopituitarism and magnetic resonance imaging of brain showed anterior pituitary aplasia and ectopic posterior pituitary gland.

A Case of Congenital Hypopituitarism with Anterior Pituitary Aplasia and Ectopic Posterior Pituitary Gland / 대한소아내분비학회지

Congenital hypopituitarism is a rare disorder with absence or reduction of hormones produced by the pituitary gland. The clinical manifestations are hypoglycemia, prolonged jaundice, hyponatremia, micropenis, underdeveloped clitoris, lethargy, convulsion, pallor, cyanosis, apnea, hypotension, temperature instability etc. in neonates and growth failure, delayed or absent puberty in older infants and children. We experienced a case of congenital hypopituitarism who was a 20-year-old male patient with short stature and delayed puberty. Combined pituitary function test revealed panhypopituitarism and magnetic resonance imaging of brain showed anterior pituitary aplasia and ectopic posterior pituitary gland.

A Case of Central Diabetes Insipidus with Growth Hormone Deficiency and Loss of Hyperintense Signal in the Posterior Lobe / 대한소아내분비학회지

Central diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder that can result as a consequence of diverse etiologies, including malformations, autoimmune, infiltrative(e.g. neoplastic or histiocytosis) or traumatic processes, as well as mutations in the gene encoding arginine vasopressin. Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus is a diagnosis of exclusion, one that has been made less frequently through the decades. Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus in children and adolescent requires a frequent follow-up regimen using serial brain MRI and CSF examinations especially if an isolated pituitary stalk thickening or loss of a hyperintense signal in the posterior lobe is observed. Also, so-called "idiopathic" central diabetes insipidus warrants close follow-up to determine the etiology, especially if anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies are detected. We report a case of idiopathic central diabetes insipidus with growh hormone deficiency and loss of a hyperintense signal in the posterior lobe. He is a 13 years old. We are scheduled to follow-up with serial contrast enhanced brain MRI and CSF evaluation for the early detection of an evolving occult hypothalamic-stalk lesion.

Clinical Course of Idiopathic Central Diabetes Insipidus in Adults / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic Central Diabetes Insipidus in children or adolescents requires a frequent follow-up regimen using serial brain MRI and CSF examinations especially if an isolated pituitary stalk thickening or loss of a hyperintense signal in the posterior pituitary lobe is observed. Although a detailed description has not been made in adults who had Idiopathic Central Diabetes Insipidus, the clinical course of a Central Diabetes Insipidus in children or in adolescents can not be applied to adults because a follow-up study is so invasive and expensive. In this report, we evaluated the clinical course of Idiopathic Central Diabetes Insipidus in adults. METHODS: The diagnosis of Idiopathic Central Diabetes Insipidus was based on the presenting clinical symptoms, the water deprivation test, biochemical studies and a brain MRI. We measured the urine specific gravity, urine and plasma osmolarity, electrolytes, and daily urine amount and we also performed an anterior pituitary evaluation. Patients had contrast-enhanced MRI and biochemical studies every 4 to 12 months. RESULTS: The patients included 8 females and 4 males. Their ages ranged from 20 to 76 years and their mean age was 45+/-17 years. Tumor markers in the CSF were not detected any of the patients. An anterior pituitary evaluation showed that four patients had hyperprolactinemia, and five patients had impaired secretory responses of Growth Hormone to an insulin induced hypoglycemia. Nine of the 12 patients had thickening of the pituitary stalk, seven had lacked the hyperintense signal of a normal neurohypophysis. The abnormalities of MRI disappeared in 3 patients by the 4th, 27th and 36th month follow up periods, respectively. The follow up duration was between 8 months and 11 years 3 months and the mean follow up duration period was 50.6+/-45.5 months. Clinical symptoms were corrected by DDAVP administration. Other symptoms were absent. CONCLUSION: In our study, of Idiopathic Central Diabetes Insipidus in adults there were no observed germinomas or other disease that were observed. Therefore this disorder may have a benign course.

A Case of Congenital Hypopituitarism with Anterior Pituitary Hypoplasia and Ectopic Posterior Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland develops from two different parts of the brain. The anterior pituitary gland originates from the Rathke pouch and the posterior one from the infundibulum. Therefore, the pathologic findings of congenital hypopituitarism can be different in each case. Congenital hypopituitarism is a rare disorder. The characteristic clinical features of the affected newborns are prolonged jaundice, persistent or recurrent hypoglycemia without hyperinsulinism and microphallus. Their genitalia are usually underdeveloped and sexual maturation may be delayed or absent. In adulthood, patients retain childish feature, short stature with normal body proportion. We experienced a case of congenital hypopituitarism in a 12-year-old female patient with short stature and delayed sexual maturation(Tanner stageI). The endocrinological studies revealed growth hormone, FSH, LH and TSH deficiencies. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a hypoplastic anterior pituitary and an ectopic posterior pituitary gland located within the tuber cinereum of the hypothalamus.

A Case of Congenital Hypopituitarism with Anterior Pituitary Hypoplasia and Ectopic Posterior Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland develops from two different parts of the brain. The anterior pituitary gland originates from the Rathke pouch and the posterior one from the infundibulum. Therefore, the pathologic findings of congenital hypopituitarism can be different in each case. Congenital hypopituitarism is a rare disorder. The characteristic clinical features of the affected newborns are prolonged jaundice, persistent or recurrent hypoglycemia without hyperinsulinism and microphallus. Their genitalia are usually underdeveloped and sexual maturation may be delayed or absent. In adulthood, patients retain childish feature, short stature with normal body proportion. We experienced a case of congenital hypopituitarism in a 12-year-old female patient with short stature and delayed sexual maturation(Tanner stageI). The endocrinological studies revealed growth hormone, FSH, LH and TSH deficiencies. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a hypoplastic anterior pituitary and an ectopic posterior pituitary gland located within the tuber cinereum of the hypothalamus.

A case of congenital hypopituitarism presenting ectopic pituitary gland and pituitary stalk transection identified by magnetic resinance imaging

No abstract available.

INVESTIGATION OF HYPOTHALAMIC-POSTERIOR PITUITARY FUNCTION OF GROWTH RETARDED CHILDREN / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Responses to water deprivation test of 27 children with growth retardation were obseived in an attempt to investigate their hypothalamic-posterior pituitary function, and as control, 13 cases of diabetes insipidus and 10 normal children were tested in the meantime. The results showed: 1) All GH deficient children presenting with polyuria and polydipsia had severe ADH deficiency; 2) In 11 GH deficient children without polyuria and polydipsia, 7 were found endogenous ADH insufficient; 3) The children with short stature, polyuria and polydipsia but a normal GH secretion were partial ADH deficient; 4) Hypothalamic-posterior pituitary function of the children with short stature but normal GH secretion and without polyuria and polydipsia %vas normal.We conclude that growth retarded children were proved more or less insufficient of ADH, thus the posterior pituitary function of growth retarded children should be investigated as well, that water deprivation test is an accurate and simple test for this purpose.

THE ORIGIN OF THE CCK-IMMUNOREACTIVE NERVE FIBERS IN THE POSTERIOR PITUITARY OF THE RAT / 解剖学报

The WGA-HRP retrograde tracing combined with immunohistochemical method was used to study the sources of CCK positive fibers in the male rat posterior pituitary. The CCK positive neurons projecting to the posterior pituitary localized mainly in the paraventricular nucleus, periventricular areas,and medial preoptic area. A few double labeled neurons were demonstrated in the subependymal area of the interventricular foramen and the floor of the 3rd ventricle. The CCK positive neurons projecting to the posterior pituitary, which weakly stained, were found in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral hypothalamic area and the dorsal part of the supraoptic nucleus, too. Our result showed much more distribution of CCK-ir neurons projecting to the posterior pituitary in the hypothalamus than Palkovits′conclusion that the CCK positive fibers in posterior pituitary almost all originated from the magnocellular paraventricular nuclei. Some double labeled neurons in periventricular area were closely approximte to 3rd venticular cavity which suggested that these neurons may monitor the changes in the cerebrospinal fluid.

ORIGIN OF SOMATOSTATIN POSITIVE FIBERS IN THE RAT POSTERIOR PITUITARY / 解剖学报

WGA-HRP retrograde tracing technique combined with immunohistochemical method was used to study the source of somatostatin postitive fibers in the posterior pituitary. Retrogradely labeled somatostatin immunoreactive cells distributed mainly in the periventricular area from the level of the anterior to posterior magnocellular paraventricular nucleus; single double labeled cells were also found in the periventricular areas at the level of the anterior commissure and posterior fornical nucleus. A few double labeled cells were seen in medial parvocellular paraventricular nucleus and the medial part of posterior magnocelluar paraventricular nucleus. The double labeled cells in the periventricular area lie mainly beneath the ependymal layer. Some were seen to intercalated in-between the ependymal cells, bringing themselves very close to the cerebrospinal fluid, but no direct fluid contacing elements were verified.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE OXYTOCIN-LIKE NEURONS OF THE HYPOTHALAMUS AND ITS ADJACENT AREA AND THE POSTERIOR PITUITARY IN THE RAT / 解剖学报

PAP and ABC methods have been used to detect the Oxytocin-like (OXT-L) neurons in the hypothalamus of the rat and the results obtained were compared with the CT-HRP retrograde tracing study from the posterior pituitary to the hypothalamus by Ju et al. It was verified that the projections to the posterior pituitary came from the supraoptic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, anterior and posterior fornical nucleus, perivascular cell groups, preoptic and anterior hypothalamic areas, the dorsal accessory cell groups, and the periventricular area, especially forming subependymal plexuses along the lateral wall of the third ventricle and beneath the interventricular foramen. By combining WGA-HRP retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry methods, OXT-L neurons in all the above listed nuclei or cell groups were found to project to the posterior pituitary. The subependymal plexuses may serve as a link between the CSF in the ventricles and the posterior pituitary.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF GALANIN IMMUNOREACTIVE NERVE FIBERS IN THE NEURAL LOBE OF THE POSTERIOR PITUITARY IN THE HUMAN BEING, MONKEY, DOG, CAT AND RAT / 解剖学报

Comparative investigation of the distribution of galanin-immunoreactive (GAL-ir) nerve fibers in the neural lobe of the human being, monkey, dog, cat and rat was studied immunohistochemically. The density of GAL-ir fibers in the posterior pituitary was highest in the dog and rat, moderate in the monkey and cat; and lowest in the human being. A dense accumulation of positive fibers appeared in the pituitary stalk bordoring the intermediate lobe. The fiber density in the central part of the posterior pituitary was slightly higher than at its periphery in the human and monkey. Moderate amount of fibers were found to spread all over the neural lobe of the dog and rat, with slightly higher density in the posterior part of the dog. In the cat, the highest density of GAL-ir fibers was found along the wall of the recess hypophysis. A slightly increasing fibers or fiber clumps were seen in the peripheral region of posterior pituitary in four species of the animals and human being. Some fibers were found surrounding the blood vessels or located in their walls.