STUDIES ON LOCALIZATION OF GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE RECEPTORS IN RAT LIVER / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To detect the existence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors(GnRH-R) in rat liver,and to supply morphological evidence for studying the functional significance of the GnRH in hepatocyte. Methods Immunohistochemical SABC method and in situ hybridization with a digoxigenin labeled probe were used to study the localization of GnRH-R in the livers of five rats. Results The rat hepatocytes were found with the GnRH-R immunoreactivity and GnRHR mRNA hybridization signals.The GnRH-R immunoreactive substance was distributed in the cytoplasm of all positive cells,with immuno-negative nuclei.The GnRHR mRNA hybridization signals were also detected in the cytoplasm of all positive cells but not in the nuclei.Hepatocytes in different parts of liver lobules showed different intensity of GnRH-R immunoreactivity and GnRH-R mRNA hybridization signals.Conclusion The rat hepatocyte may express GnRH-R.The hepatocytes in different parts in liver lobules exhibit different levels of GnRH-R expression.