On the Correlation Between Neurosecretion of the Hypothalamo-hypophysial System and Water Metabolism in Morphinized Rats

Abstract

1. When repeated administration of morphine is given to rats, weight gain is inhibited and the volume of urine increases in quantity.2. In morphinized rats, Gomori positive granules in the hypothalamo-hypophysial system shows a decrease or they becomes scarcely observed.3. When withdrawal of morphine administration is made in morphinized rats, the volume of urine begins to decrease on the next day, shows the utmost decrease on the 3rd day and after that it gradually increases. At the same time Gomori positive granules in the hypothalamo-hypophysial system begin to gain in quantity on the 1st day and the neurosecretion shows a remarkable increase on the 3rd day to the 5th day, then it decreases again.4. In morphinized rats, ADH content in the hypophysis and serum decreases, but when withdrawal of administration is made they show an apparent increase on the next day.5. It is considered that repeated administration of morphine inhibits the neurosecretory activity of the supraoptico- or paraventriculo-hypophysial system, reduces production of ADH and increases the volume of urine, and that at withdrawal of morphine the activity of the neurosecretory nuclei accelerates as a reaction and urine diminishes rapidly in quantity in company with rapid production of ADH.