EFFECT OF STEROIDS ON WATER DIURESIS AND VASOPRESSIN SENSITIVITY*

Abstract

The maximal rate of water diuresis and the response to a constant infusion of vasopressin were studied before and after the administration of cortisol, progesterone, estrogen, aldosterone, a low Na diet and an aldosterone antagonist in 5 healthy young men. The variations in free water clearance observed during maximal water diuresis could be related to changes in total solute excretion in control experiments. This relationship was not altered by any of the treatments except cortisol administration. After cortisol administration, free water clearance increased more than would be expected from the change in solute excretion. The decrease in free water clearance observed with the infusion of a given sub-maximal dose of vasopressin was directly related to the initial maximal rate of free water clearance. This relationship was unchanged by treatment, including cortisol administration.