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Effect of salt loading and salt deprivation on the vasopressin and oxytocin content of the median eminence and the neural lobe in adrenalectomized rats

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Summary

In adrenalectomized rats the influence of salt loading or salt deprivation on the vasopressin and oxytocin content of the median eminence (ME) and the neural lobe (NL) was studied by means of various methods: (1) morphometric and microphotometric analysis of aldehyde fuchsin-stained sections of ME and NL; (2) immunohistochemical demonstration of neurophysin, oxytocin, and vasopressin in the ME and in the NL; (3) radioimmunological measurement of oxytocin and vasopressin in the ME and in the NL. Adrenalectomy in salt-substituted rats raised the vasopressin content of the outer layer of the ME (OLME) but had no influence on the amount of vasopressin in the inner layer of the ME and in the NL. Osmotic stimulation of adrenalectomized rats by hypertonic saline markedly diminished vasopressin and oxytocin in the inner layer of the ME and in the NL but did not, or only slightly reduced vasopressin in the OLME. Withdrawal of salt supplementation in adrenalectomized rats resulted in a decrease of plasma sodium and plasma volume. It did not change the vasopressin or oxytocin content of the inner layer of the ME and of the NL, but it was correlated with a decrease of vasopressin in the OLME. The present findings may suggest that vasopressin in the OLME is involved in salt and/or volume regulation by influencing the hypophysial-adrenal axis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachrichtung Anatomie, Fachbereich Theoretische Medizin der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg (Saar), Germany

    D. Mink, E. Östermann &  R. Bock

  2. Pharmakologisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    R. E. Lang

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  1. D. Mink
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The study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Bo 392/6-51 and SFB 90, Cardiovasculäres System, A52). The morphometric measurements with the TAS plus were carried out at the Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatrie, Munich, FRG. We are particularly indebted to Prof. G. W. Kreutzberg and Prof. P. Schubert for their help

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Mink, D., Lang, R.E., Östermann, E. et al. Effect of salt loading and salt deprivation on the vasopressin and oxytocin content of the median eminence and the neural lobe in adrenalectomized rats. Cell Tissue Res. 246, 413–423 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00215904

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