[The Harderian gland--target for cyclic nonapeptide neurohypophyseal hormones. Autoradiographic studies on the rat (author's transl)].
Among autoradiograms of different tissues prepared after intravenous injection of 3H-tyrosine oxytocin into male white rats, only those of the kidney and the Harderian gland, an exocrine gland in the orbit of most terrestrial vertebrates, displayed a saturable labelling, i.e., pretreatment of the rats with an excess of unlabelled oxytocin led to a significantly lowered tissue content of radioactivity. Liquid scintillation analysis confirmed this result. Moreover, besides the kidney only the Harderian gland proved to be labelled in autoradiograms prepared after intracarotid injection of 125I-lysine vasopressin into male white rats. The intensity of this label is enhanced in Brattleboro rats. The results strongly suggest that the Harderian gland represents a hitherto not recognized target for posterior pituitary cyclic nonapeptide hormones. Concerning the physiological role these hormones may play in the gland, the speculation is put forward that oxytocin like its role in the mammary gland might be involved in the regulation of Harderian gland secretory processes.
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000502:physiology*; D008236:Lypressin; D008297:Male; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D008236:Lypressin
Die Hardersche Drüse--ein Zielorgan für Neurohypophysenhormone. Autoradiographische Untersuchungen an der Ratte.