Abstract
Vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) may be synthesized in a common precursor with neurophysins (NP). We postulated that precursors may be more abundant in the neurohypophysis of the immature rat. By RIA, we found :
There was a molar excess of NP early in gestation, and later a molar excess of VP. Bioassay of VP from the fetus correlated with RIA values. By gel filtration a big form pf VP was found which varied with the method of extraction. With one system > 85 % of VP from the fetus was in the big form while < 15 % of VP from the adult was big. The relationship of big VP to NP is not clear. The developing rat is a good model for the study of precursor hormones.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sinding, C., Robinson, A. & Czernichow, P. Presence of a large molecular form of vasopressin in the fetal rat. Pediatr Res 12, 1092 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00064
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00064