physiologically in reptiles, but injections of peptides from the neurohypophysis
can initiate decreases in glomerular activity and increase fluid absorption from the
renal tu bules.
a) R ole of Neurohypophysis. Three peptides with such actions on the kidney have
been identified in the neurohypophyses of different reptile species . H E L L E R (1942)
showed that the pituitary of the European grass snake, Tropidonotus natrix, con -
tained a biological activity similar to that in mammals in so far as it had an antidiuTable 5.6 Distribution of neurohypophysial pep tides in reptiles
Crocodilia
Caima n scleropss
(Caiman)
Vasotocin
+
Mesotocin
Oxytocin
Chelon ia
Testudo graeca 2
(Tortoise)
Chelonia mydas 1 3
(Gr een turtle)
Pseudem ys scripta'
(Slider turtle)
Lepidochelys kempi 3
(Ridle y turtle)
Caretta Sp. 3
(Loggerhead turtle)
+
O xytocin - like
+
+ (?)
+ (?)
+
O xytocin - like
+
+ (?)
+ (?)
+
+ (?)
+ (?)
Lacer tilia
Iguana iguanas
(Iguana)
Ophidia
Tropidonotus natrix" 3
(Grass snake)
Crota lus atroxi
(Ra ttle r)
Naja naja 6 8
(Cobra)
Vipera aspis" 8
(Viper)
Elaphe quadrivergata 8
(Elaph)
+
+
+
+
+
+
O xytocin - like
+ (?)
+
+
+
+
+ (?)
±
ISAWYER et al. (1961) ; 2HELLER and PICKERING (1961); 3FoLLETT (1967); 4SAWYER (1968);
5MuNSICK (1966) ; 6PICKERING (1967); 7ACHER, CHAUVET, and CHAUVET (1968); BAc HER,
CHAUVET, and CHAUVET (1969 a).
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