Effects of water deprivation and administration of hypertonic saline on dopamine concentrations in posterior pituitary and vasopressin release in rats

Abstract

Changes in concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in plasma and the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary and those in dopamine (DA) in the neurointermediate lobe in rats were studied simulataneously after depriving the animals of water as well as after giving intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of hypertonic saline (4.5% saline, 25 ml/kg of body weight). After water deprivation for 24 h, both AVP in plasma and DA in the neurointermediate lobe increased without any changes in AVP in the neurointermediate lobe. Water deprivation for 48–72 h caused further increases in both AVP in plasma and DA in the neurointermediate lobe with a significant decrease in AVP in the neurointermediate lobe. Rehydration for 24 h subsequent to 72 h of water deprivation made AVP in plasma and DA in the neurointermediate lobe return to the values of normally hydrated rats, whereas AVP in the neurointermediate lobe was still depressed. Thirty min after the i.p. injection of hypertonic saline, both AVP in plasma and DA in the neurointermediate lobe increased markedly with no change in AVP in the neurointermediate lobe. The time course of change in DA in the neurointermediate lobe was similar to that in plasma AVP when plasma osmolality was changed chronically or acutely. These results may make questionable the preconception that the tuberohypophyseal DA neurons are not involved in or regulated by early changes in vasopressin secretion.