Light microscopic autoradiographic visualization of [3H]-arginine vasopressin binding sites in rat brain

Specific [3H]-arginine vasopressin ([3H]-AVP) binding sites were identified in the rat brain by light microscopic autoradiography. Discrete intrahypothalamic nuclei were densely labelled by [3H]-AVP. High specific binding was observed in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. These binding sites may represent specific receptors for AVP, postulated to exist in the mammalian central nervous system.