Antagonism of effects of vasopressin (AVP) on inhibitory avoidance by a vasopressin antagonist peptide [dPtyr(Me)AVP].
After training in two different passive avoidance tasks, the platform box of Ader and De Wied (1972) and the Jarvik box of Jarvik and Kopp (1967), rats injected with vasopressin immediately following the training trial showed a significant enhancement of retention 24 hours later. This vasopressin effect was reversed by high doses of the vasopressor antagonist, dPtyr(Me) AVP. These results support the hypothesis that the visceral afferent signals may be involved in the apparent memory-enhancing effects of AVP, but the high doses of antagonist required suggest that factors other than a simple reversal of the pressor effects of AVP may be important.
D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; C028888:argipressin, deaminopenicillamine(1)-O-methyl-Tyr(2)-