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Vasopressin- and oxytocin-containing fibres in the pineal gland and subcommissural organ of the rat

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Summary

Vasopressin and oxytocin were specifically demonstrated in the rat brain using the unlabelled antibody-enzyme method and purification of the first antiserum. Vasopressin and oxytocin fibres extend via the subcommissural organ or habenular commissure into the pineal stalk and terminate in the anterior part of the pineal organ. In addition, immediately adjacent to the subsommissural organ many vasopressin-containing fibres run caudally toward the central grey. These results are discussed in relation to the proposed presence of vasotocin in the pineal gland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, IJdijk 28, 1095, KJ Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    R. M. Buijs & P. Pévet

  2. Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    P. Pévet

Authors
  1. R. M. Buijs
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  2. P. Pévet
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Additional information

This study was supported by the Foundation for Medical Research, FUNGO

The authors wish to thank Dr. D.F. Swaab and Prof. J. Ariëns Kappers for their suggestions and critical remarks

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Buijs, R.M., Pévet, P. Vasopressin- and oxytocin-containing fibres in the pineal gland and subcommissural organ of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 205, 11–17 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234438

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234438

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