Veni, vidi, vici: the neurohypophysis in the twentieth century

Abstract

We outline the key discoveries in the first 70 years of research on the neurohypophysis that provided the foundations for more recent studies in the last 30 years. We consider the extent to which these recent studies, which have exploited molecular technologies, cellular electrophysiological techniques and mechanistic behavioural investigations, have advanced or changed our understanding of the functions of oxytocin and vasopressin. The different evolutionary pressures on the oxytocin and vasopressin systems are discussed. Lastly, we focus on the mechanisms underlying the burst-firing activity of oxytocin neurones in lactation as a problem not yet solved, and probably requiring a presently improbable conceptual leap to understand. Experimental Physiology (2000) 85S, IS-6s.

Photografting of N‐isopropylacrylamide and glycidyl methacrylate binary monomers on polyethylene film: Effect of mixed solvent consisting of water and organic solvent

“…Vasopressin and oxytocin derived from magnocellular neurons (Russell and Leng,2000) are transported together with their neurophysin carriers, neurophysin I and II (Fotheringham et al,1991; Trembleau et al,1994), in neurosecretory vesicles along the axon toward the neurohypophysis for secretion (Dreifuss,1975; Brownstein et al,1980). Axonal transport involves the formation of neurophysin–vasopressin complexes attached to the cytoskeleton.…”

The Adaptive Brain: Glenn Hatton and the Supraoptic Nucleus

“…The story of oxytocin and vasopressin (5) began in 1895, when Oliver and Schafer reported that extracts of the posterior pituitary gland could affect urine flow, although what they described was a diuretic rather than an antidiuretic effect. In 1906, Dale reported that such extracts could also promote uterine contractions, and soon after, effects on mammary secretion were reported but confusion about the renal effects persisted.…”

Transgenesis and neuroendocrine physiology: a transgenic rat model expressing growth hormone in vasopressin neurones

“…The magnocellular neurones of the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus are the major sites of synthesis of the nonapeptide hormones vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) and their associated neurophysin (NP) carrier proteins (Vandesande & Dierickx, 1975). These neuronal systems are highly homologous, both projecting from the same hypothalamic nuclei through the internal zone of the median eminence to the posterior pituitary gland, from where the hormones are released, in response to physiological cues, into the peripheral circulation (Robinson, 1986; Russell & Leng, 2000). These anatomical characteristics make them an excellent model system in which to study the physiological regulation of hypothalamo‐pituitary secretion.…”

“…Magnocellular OT stimulates the contraction of myoepithelial cells in the mammary gland to cause milk ejection during suckling (Bisset, 1974). OT is also a potent uterotonic agent and plays a role in normal parturition (Russell & Leng, 2000). In addition to the neuroendocrine magnocellular cells, OT and VP are also expressed in parvocellular cells in regions of the CNS (Caffé et al 1987) where they may act as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators (de Wied et al 1993) involved in the stress axis, circadian rhythms, temperature, motor responses or reproduction‐related behaviours (Pedersen et al 1982; Rivier & Vale, 1983; Burnard et al 1984; Kasting, 1989; Winslow et al 1993; Watanabe et al 2000).…”