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Changes in neurohypophysial cholecystokinin content during oestrous cycle in the rat
S Goldman1, O Van Reeth, S Schiffmann
1Laboratory of Neuropathology and Neuropeptide Research, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Fondation Médicale Reine Elisabeth, 1 avenue J. J. Crocq, B-1020 Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract:
Cholecystokinin content in the neurointermediate lobe of the rat pituitary was measured by radioimmunoassay during the different stages of the oestrous cycle. Higher levels were observed in pro-oestrus and oestrus than in metoestrus and dioestrus rats. This difference is similar to the variation observed in the same circumstance concerning oxytocin in the neurohypophysis and neurosecretory activity in magnocellular neurons. These results are discussed in relation to the coexistence of oxytocin and cholecystokinin in neurons of the hypothalamoneurohypophysial system.
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