Immunohistochemical demonstration of proGnRH and GnRH in the preoptic-basal hypothalamus of the primate

An antiserum (ARK-1) specific to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone precursor (proGnRH) was produced by immunizing with a synthetic peptide (proGnRH 6-16; Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-Gly-Lys-Arg-Asp-Ala-Glu) which bridges the proteolytic cleavage site of proGnRH. When used in the radioimmunoassay, ARK-1 bound 25% of the iodinated 5-16 fragment at a 1:30, 000 dilution with a sensitivity of 1 pg/tube. Using immunohistochemical techniques, we observed that in serial and the same sections through the preoptic-basal hypothalamus (POA-BH), the precursor molecule was primarily present in the cell soma, whereas GnRH was found in the cell soma, nerve fibers, and terminals of the same neurons. These data indicate that the processing of proGnRH to biologically active peptides (e.g., GnRH) in the rhesus macaque and the baboon POA-BH primarily occurs in the cell soma.