Potassium-induced release of the diuretic hormones of Rhodnius prolixus and Glossina austeni: Ca dependence, time course and localization of neurohaemal areas.

1. Exposure of neurohaemal areas to solutions of elevated K concentration (above 40 HIM) causes a maximal release of diuretic hormone in Rhodmus prolixus and Glossina austeni. 2. An involvement of Ca in hormone release is indicated by the reduction caused by low concentrations of this cation (below 2 mM) or by the presence of Mn. 3. During prolonged treatment with K-rich solutions the rate of hormone release is initially high, but then declines. This response parallels that for Ca entry into squid giant axons during maintained potassium depolarization and suggests that the rate of Ca entry controls the rate of hormone release. 4. Tetrodotoxin did not reduce the potassium-induced release of the hormone, suggesting that K acts directly on the neurosecretory axon endings in the neurohaemal areas.