The effect of substance P (SP) infusion above the supraoptic nuclei of hypothalamus on the vasopressin content in the posterior pituitary lobe after haemorrhage in rats.

Dekanski's method was used to estimate the pressor activity of the extracts of the posterior pituitary lobe in anaesthetized rats, after the infusion of 0.9% NaCl solution above the supraoptic nuclei and haemorrhage in the amount of 1.5% of body weight or after the infusion of Substance P solution above the supraoptic nuclei and haemorrhage. It has been found that the vasopressin content in the posterior pituitary lobe decreased about 20% after the infusion of 0.9% NaCl solution and haemorrhage. The infusion of Substance P above the supraoptic nuclei inhibits the loss of vasopressin from the pituitary caused by haemorrhage.