RESUMO
Distribution of GnRH immunoreactive cells and nerves in gastro entro-pancreatic system of rats was studied by using immunogold-silver staining. The GnRH immunoreactive epithelial cells can be seen in the stomach, small intestine, large intestine and pancreas. The apical portion of these GnRH postive epithelial cells extended to the luminal surface of surface epithelium and glands, and they belong to the open type endocrine cells. The GnRH immunoreactive nerve cells can be found in submucous plexus, myenteric plexus and serosa of the stomach and small intestine. The GnRH postive nerve fibers can be seen in lamina propria and submucosa of the small intestine. These results suggest that the GnRH may play an important role in the regulation of digestion.