Activation and clearance of a hormonogen, triglycyl-oxytocin, in the conscious dog

Abstract

Abstract. Triglycyl-oxytocin (TGOT) and oxytocin (OT) were administered iv and sc to conscious dogs and the plasma concentrations of these peptides determined simultaneously by RIA and bioassay. Constant iv infusions (1 h) at 23 pmol/kg/min produced plateau levels of 1.1 and 1.6 pmol/ml plasma for OT and TGOT respectively. Whilst the distribution space was similar for each peptide, TGOT persisted longer in the circulation (t½, for TGOT 6.6 min; for OT 4.2 min). Bioactive values for OT followed RIA values whether this peptide was given iv or sc. Although very little bioactivity was generated by iv infusions of TGOT, considerable amounts of bioactive OT were found in plasma after injection of TGOT subcutaneously. The hormonogen proved relatively resistant to oxytocinase, an enzyme that destroys OT rapidly. Our results indicate that TGOT is converted to OT in vivo and that its action as a hormonogen is more pronounced after sc than iv administration.