Oxytocin infusions increase plasma levels of insulin and VIP but not of gastrin in conscious dogs

Abstract

In the present study, a radioimmunoassay for oxytocin determinations is presented. In addition, we investigated whether the elevation of insulin, VIP and gastrin levels demonstrated to occur in response to suckling in lactating dogs may be induced by released oxytocin. Therefore, oxytocin was infused i.v. into conscious dogs in amounts calculated to give rise to plasma levels observed during physiological circumstances. Plasma levels of oxytocin, insulin, VIP (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) and gastrin were measured by radioimmunoassay. When oxytocin was infused at a rate of 0.22 and 2.2 nmol kg-1 h-1, plasma oxytocin levels rose to 176 +/- 25 fmol ml-1 and to 1490 +/- 400 fmol ml-1, respectively, 10 min after the infusions were started. Plasma insulin levels rose in response to oxytocin administered at a rate of 0.22 and 2.2 nmol kg-1 h-1. A peak was recorded within 5 min of oxytocin infusion, that is, before maximal oxytocin levels were recorded, and basal levels were reached within about 20 min. The VIP levels rose slightly following infusion of oxytocin at 0.22 nmol kg-1 h-1, but a clear-cut response that lasted for 60 min was observed following infusion of oxytocin at the highest dose. In contrast, gastrin levels were not influenced by the oxytocin infusions. Suckling in dogs is followed by rapidly occurring short-lasting elevations of oxytocin levels in plasma which amount to 50-100 fmol ml-1. Since insulin and VIP were released by oxytocin when administered in amounts that give rise to plasma levels close to those levels, it is suggested that the secretion of insulin and VIP that occurs in response to suckling in lactating dogs may in part be caused by previously released oxytocin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)