The vasopressin and oxytocin content in the neurohypophysis under conditions of increased beta-adrenergic transmission in euhydrated and dehydrated rats.

In rats euhydrated or dehydrated for two or four days the neurohypophysial vasopressin and oxytocin content was estimated. Rats were given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) isoprenaline in a daily dose of 10 micrograms dissolved in 10 microliters of 0.9% sodium chloride. The neurohypophysial vasopressor and oxytocic activity diminished progressively during deprivation of water. A single dose of isoprenaline diminished the neurohypophysial content of vasopressin in euhydrated rats. In animals dehydrated for two or four days the depletion of neurohypophysial vasopressin storage (as brought about by osmoreceptor stimulation) was distinctly less marked under treatment with isoprenaline. The neurohypophysial oxytocin storage was diminished by a single dose of isoprenaline; on the contrary, during dehydration isoprenaline distinctly intensified the oxytocin depletion in the neurohypophysis.