Vasopressin and Anterior Pituitary Function

Abstract

The parvocellular neurosecretory system consists of neurons localized in more or less discrete clusters in the hypothalamus and the basal forebrain, and in their axial projections which end on portal vessels in the external lamina of the median eminence. Via these pathways peptides and amines are delivered to the portal circulation and act to stimulate or inhibit (liberins and statins respectively) the release of anterior pituitary hormones. The view that vasopressin, as another hypothalamic releasing factor, may be involved in the physiological regulation of anterior pituitary function (for review see Hedge and Huffman 1987) has been substantiated by the established projections originating from a distinct subpopulation of parvocellular paraventricular vasopressinergic neurons to the hypophyseal portal circulation (chapter 3.1.2.2).