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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
09:47
Isolation of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Rodent Embryos for use with Dissected Cerebral Cortical Explants
Published on: March 11, 2013
Cerebrospinal fluid and ependymal neurophysin.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|May 1, 1973
Summary
Neurophysins, carrier proteins for vasopressin and oxytocin, are measurable in human and monkey cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. CSF neurophysin levels are significantly higher than plasma levels, indicating potential roles in posterior pituitary function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Protein Chemistry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Neurophysins are carrier proteins for vasopressin and oxytocin.
- Their release may indicate posterior pituitary function.
- Accurate measurement methods are crucial for understanding neurohypophyseal system dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure neurophysin concentrations in human and monkey plasma and CSF.
- To localize neurophysin in monkey brain tissue using immunoperoxidase technique.
- To investigate the relationship between CSF and plasma neurophysin levels.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) for quantifying neurophysin in biological fluids.
- Immunoperoxidase staining for tissue localization of neurophysin.
- Simultaneous collection of plasma and CSF samples for comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- Neurophysin was measurable in all CSF samples from patients and monkeys.
- CSF neurophysin concentrations (5.4 ng/ml) were significantly higher than plasma concentrations (0.69 ng/ml) in humans.
- Neurophysin concentrations in CSF were consistently higher than in plasma in both humans and monkeys.
Conclusions:
- Neurophysin is present in CSF and plasma, with higher concentrations in CSF.
- Neurophysin's presence in tanycytes suggests a potential transport mechanism from CSF to portal vessels.
- These findings support neurophysins as indicators of posterior pituitary function and offer insights into neurohypophyseal transport.
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