Distribution of Oxytocin, Vasopressin and Intermedin in Hypophysis of the Beaver.

Abstract

Beavers were anesthetized and decapitated. The pituitary glands were placed in acetone after separation into anterior and posterior lobes and recognized assay methods were instituted. The neural lobe of the beaver pituitary contained approximately 2 units of oxytocic, pressor and antidiuretic activity per milligram dry weight. The stalk contained about 0.4 unit of pressor-ocytocic activity per milligram. The pressor-ocytocic and pressor-antidiuretic ratios of neural lobe extracts were similar to those of the U.S.P. standard pituitary powder. The anterior lobe contained appreciable melanophare-expanding activity but no oxytocic, pressor, or antidiuretic activity.