Skeletal muscle: A significant novel neurohypophyseal hormone-secreting organ

Abstract

Vasopressin (arg8-vasopressin) and oxytocin are closely related nonapeptide hormones, synthesized as pre-hormones in the magnocellular neurons of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus. Vasopressin and oxytocin are secreted in response to a variety of physiological stimuli, serving such different functions as controlling water balance, milk ejection, uterine contraction, mood, and parental behavior.