M. Ivanisevic et al., NEUROHYPOPHYSEAL REGULATION OF OVARIAN-FUNCTION - OXYTOCIN AND VASOPRESSIN RECEPTORS IN HUMAN OVARIES, Collegium antropologicum, 19(2), 1995, pp. 525-529
Aim of this study was to explore whether oxytocin (OT) binds to human
ovarian tissue since the presence of arginine vasopressin (AVP) recept
ors are prerequisite for OT and AVP action during menstrual cycle. Hum
an ovarian stroma bounds both (3H)OT and (3H)AVP with similar affinity
. The OT and AVP receptor concentrations varied cyclically. In human o
varian stroma the concentrations were highest in late luteal phase for
both neuropeptides but in all three phases of the menstrual cycle the
number of AVP binding sites were statistically significantly higher t
han those for OT. Because ovaries produce OT and AVP, the results sugg
est a paracrine or autocrine role for neuropeptides in luteolysis and
ovulation.