Immunocytochemical demonstration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in optic nerve and nasal region of fetal rhesus macaque.

The brain and nasal region of a fetal (124 days) female rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) were fixed in situ, decalcified, sectioned and treated for the immunocytochemical demonstration of LHRH. Immunoreactive neurons and fibers were found in expected sites and also in sites not reported to date in primates: there was an abundant distribution along the pathway of the nervus terminalis and clusters of neurons anterior and ventral to the olfactory bulbs and scattered in the nasal septum. Fibers extended into the epithelium lining the nasal septum. Most unexpectedly, LHRH fibers and a few neurons were observed within the optic nerve.