[The long progress of neurohypophyseal peptides].

Abstract

Two neurohypophyseal peptides (vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin) belong to a family of peptides that are broadly widespread in the animal kingdom. These peptides are already found in unicellular species and differently distributed in hydra. Schematically, basic peptides related to vasopressin can be distinguished from neutral peptides related to oxytocin. Phylogenetic evolution of these two peptides shows that basic compounds are usually implicated in water metabolism regulation, but also through their central way of action, in important behaviour connected with survival of mankind (alertness, memorization, cardiovascular acceleration...) although neutral compounds are implicated in reproductive functions (carriage of spermatozoids in female genital tractus, expulsion phase of delivery, milk ejection reflex). Concerning behaviour, these compounds demonstrate properties favouring between subjects relationship (maternal behaviour settlement, including in birds, building of social links). Neuropsychiatric disturbances leading to an excess or a deficit of the central production of one of the groups of these neuropeptides could then be explained on basis of these general conclusions.