Functional difference between "classical" neurosecretory material and vasopressin-like substances of the outer layer of the median eminence.

In female Wistar rats the influence of adrenalectomy and NaCl administration on the amount of "classical" neurosecretory material (cNSM) in the supraoptico-hypophysial system and on vasopressin-like substance-containing granules (vlG) in the outer layer of the median eminence has been studied. In conjunction with appropriate sodium replacement, adrenalectomy induces an increase in the amount of vlG but does not alter the amount of cNSM. Administration of hypertonic saline diminishes cNSM but has not or only little influence on the amount of vlG. From the findings it is concluded that cNSM and vlG, in spite of their identical histochemical and immunohistochemical properties, have different functions. The functional significance of the vlG is discussed.