Vasopressin mRNA in the cerebellum and circumventricular organs: a quantitative in situ hybridization study

To answer the question as to whether vasopressin is synthesized in brain structures other than the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, vasopressin mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization in the pituitary, cerebellum, dentate gyrus, habenula and circumventricular organs. The highest levels (0.3-0.2 pmol/g), measured by quantitative autoradiography, were observed in the pituitary intermediate lobe and the granular layers of the cerebellum and dentate gyrus. Lower levels (0.15-0.08 pmol/g) were found in the medial habenula, adenohypophysis, area postrema, pineal, subfornical and subcommissural organs.