Comparative effects of Des Leu Angiotensin I and Angiotensin II on AVP secretion from the hypothalamoneurohypophysis and pituitary of the rat.

In the present study we compared the effects of Des Leu Angiotensin I (Des Leu AI) with Angiotensin II (AII) on the secretion of vasopressin (AVP) from the isolated hypothalamoneurohypophyseal system (HNS) and isolated posterior pituitary gland of the rat. Administration of 10(-6)M, 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M Des Leu AI was without significant effect on AVP secretion from the HNS. A similar phenomenon was seen in the posterior pituitary with 10(-6) M and 10(-5) M Des Leu AI, although 10(-4) M significantly increased AVP release. Administration of 10(-6) M AII was without significant effect in either preparation, although 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M AII caused significant dose-dependent increases in AVP secretion over control release that were similar in both the HNS and posterior pituitary gland. These results suggest that Des Leu AI is not a physiologically relevant stimulus of AVP secretion when restricted to this area of the rat brain. They are also consistent with the presence of receptors sensitive to AII in the pituitary gland of the rat.