Abstract
THE neurohypophysial hormones vasopressin and oxytocin are synthesised within separate neurones of the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei1 and each hormone can be liberated independently. Haemorrhage2 and bilateral carotid occlusion3 release vasopressin without oxytocin, whereas oxytocin is released without vasopressin during suckling4,5 and parturition6. The neuroendocrine cells produce all-or-none action potentials which propagate to the neural lobe, where they trigger hormone secretion7. Action potential firing of individual endocrine cells falls into two principal categories: most fire continuously and randomly at 1–2 spikes s−1, while the rest have a phasic pattern of firing, periods of bursting activity alternating every 10–60 s with periods of silence8.
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HARRIS, M., DREIFUSS, J. & LEGROS, J. Excitation of phasically firing supraoptic neurones during vasopressin release. Nature 258, 80–82 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/258080b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/258080b0
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