Vasopressin and oxytocin release into CSF after sympathetic stimulation in rat.

Vasopressin and oxytocin are neurohormones of the posterior pituitary lobe released not only into the blood, but also into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Posterior pituitary lobe has central and peripheral noradrenergic innervation; peripheral origins from superior cervical ganglia (SCG) (Alper et al. 1980; Saavedra 1986). It is known, that sympathetic nervous system is involved in vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXY) release from neurohypophysis into the blood (Romeo et al. 1991; Lipinska et al. 1996). The factors which stimulate neurohormones release into the blood do not always cause their release into CSF (Dogterom et al. 1977; Szczepanska-Sadowska et al. 1983). The aim of this study was to elucidate the question whether the stimulation of preganglionic fibers of the SCG could influence the release of AVP and OXY into CSF.