[The neurophysins (author's transl)].

The neurophysins are the carriers of oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) along the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal tract. They are liberated when the hormones are released; their radioimmunoassay which are methodologically more simple than that of the active nonapeptides can be used in clinical practice. Moreover, the separate assay of each major neurophysins bring a specific index of the release of each hormone. The radioimmunoassay for circulating neurophysins appears to be useful for the differential diagnosis of polyuria, water retention and hypothalamic disease. The neurophysins are however devoided of any antidiuretic or oxytocic properties and their half-lives differ slightly from that of circulating hormones: therefore a basal level or values obtained in the course of an inhibitory test must be cautiously interpreted.