Oxytocin Content of Microdissected Areas of Rat Hypothalamus

Abstract

Oxytocin content was measured by radioimmunoassay in microdissected hypothalamic nuclei. Equal concentrations of oxytocin were found in the supraoptic and the paraventricular nuclei, indicating that both are major sources of the hormone. The concentration of oxytocin in the median eminence was more than 3 times that in either the supraoptic or the paraventricular nuclei, and significant amounts of oxytocin were found in the arcuate nucleus and in 2 anterior hypothalamic nuclei.