Evidence for PACAP to Be an Autocrine Factor on Gonadotrope Cellsa

In summary, PACAP actions on gonadotrope cells are schematically outlined in FIGURE 5. PACAP is produced by and secreted from gonadotropes. The peptide increases LH release in an autocrine manner by a direct stimulatory action via the PACAP receptor and, as suggested by Culler and Paschall, by amplification of the LHRH stimulus. Hence, our data support the hypothesis that PACAP acts as an autocrine regulator on gonadotrope cell function.