Synergistic activation of rat supraoptic neurosecretory neurons by noxious and hypovolemic stimuli.

The effects of saphenous nerve stimulation on discharge activity of supraoptic neurosecretory (NS) cells were studied in anesthetized rats. Of 112 supraoptic neurosecretory cells, 62 exhibited a 'phasic' discharge pattern. The nerve stimulation transiently excited 46 of these 62 'phasic' units, as well as 35 of the 50 remaining 'non-phasic' units. No appreciable blood pressure change was noted using PSTHs with 1-ms resolution. Though the nerve stimulation also evoked a flexor reflex of the ipsilateral hind limb, blockage of the hind limb movement with gallamine did not alter the amplitude of the supraoptic cell excitation. The threshold of the nerve stimulation was higher for the excitation than for the flexor reflex. Effects of hypovolemic and hyperosmotic stimuli on discharge activity of 'phasic' cells during saphenous nerve stimulation were studied to find a possible interaction between these stimuli. Hemorrhage potentiated the transient excitation evoked by the nerve stimulation in all of the 8 'phasic' cells tested, while no such effect was seen after an injection of hypertonic sodium chloride solution in the 7 'phasic' cells tested. These electrophysiological data suggest that hypovolemic and noxious stimuli potentiate VP secretion in a synergistic manner but that hyperosmotic and noxious stimuli do not.