Hypothalamic and neurohypophysial vasopressin and oxytocin in melatonin-treated pinealectomized male rats.
The effect of melatonin on hypothalamic and neurohypophysial vasopressin and oxytocin was investigated in normal and pinealectomized rats. Pinealectomy was followed by a decrease of both vasopressin and oxytocin content in the hypothalamus and neurohypophysis. In unpinealectomized rats, melatonin decreased vasopressin and oxytocin storage in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system. Following pineal removal, melatonin did not augment the pinealectomy-induced decrease of vasopressin and oxytocin in the neurohypophysis; the hypothalamic storage of both neurohormones was even higher when compared with vehicle-treated animals.
Juszczak
M
M
Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Lodz, Poland.
Guzek
J W
JW
D000818:Animals; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012016:Reference Values; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000378:metabolism*
D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin; D008550:Melatonin