Vasopressin as a neuroendocrine regulator of anterior pituitary hormone secretion

Secretion of the anterior pituitary hormones adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), beta-endorphin and prolactin (PRL) is complex and involves a variety of factors. This review focuses on the involvement of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) in neuroendocrine regulation of these anterior pituitary hormones with special reference to receptor involvement, mode of action and origin of AVP. Arginine-vasopressin may act via at least two types of receptors: V1- and V2-receptors, where the pituitary V1-receptor is designated V1b. The mode of action of AVP may be mediating, i.e. anterior pituitary hormone secretion is transmitted via release of AVP, or the mode of action may be permissive, i.e. the presence of AVP at a low and constant level is required for anterior pituitary hormones to be stimulated. Under in vivo conditions, the AVP-induced release of ACTH and beta-endorphin is mainly mediated via activation of hypothalamic V1-receptors, which subsequently leads to the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone. Under in vitro conditions, the AVP-stimulated release of ACTH and beta-endorphin is mediated via pituitary V1b-receptors. The mode of action of AVP in the ACTH and beta-endorphin response to stress and to histamine, which is involved in stress-induced secretion of anterior pituitary hormones, is mediating (utilizing V1-receptors) as well as permissive (utilizing mainly V1-but also V2-receptors). The AVP-induced release of PRL under in vivo conditions is conveyed mainly via activation of V1-receptors but V2-receptors and probably additional receptor(s) may also play a role.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)