Mammalian Antidiuretic Hormone

Abstract

This review describes the current status of the physiology of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), especially its action and secretion. It treats of terminology, potency standards, methods of assay, and the effect of ADH on extra-tabular processes, on urinary electrolyte excretion, and on tabular reabsorption of water. It discusses the hypothesis of neurosecretion, the mechanism for stimulation of release of ADH, the nature of neuro-hypophyseal secretion (or secretions), the properties of substances with which ADH has been associated in brain, the identification of minute amounts of vasopressin, serotonin and insulin as antidiuretics, ADH in blood and in urine, and ADH in relation to diabetes insipidus.