Increase In Plasma Vasopressin Concentration Research Articles

Contribution of vasopressin to blood pressure regulation during hypovolemic hypotension in humans.

In animals subjected to hemorrhage, plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations increase to levels sufficient to cause vasoconstriction, thus attenuating the hypotensive response. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of vasopressin to blood pressure regulation during hypotension in humans. Hypotension was induced in twelve normal subjects by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) before and after intravenous administration of vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist. Before drug administration, LBNP reduced systolic blood pressure from 125 +/- 4 to 78 +/- 12 mmHg (P < 0.01) as vasopressin concentration increased from 2.9 +/- 0.6 to 17 +/- 6 pg/ml (P < 0.05). After administration of the vasopressin antagonist, LBNP reduced systolic blood pressure from 128 +/- 3 to 89 +/- 11 mmHg (P < 0.01). The hypotensive response to LBNP was not potentiated by inhibiting vasopressin's vasoconstrictive effects (P = NS). Thus hypotension causes marked increases in plasma vasopressin concentration. In contrast to findings in animal studies, however, vasopressin does not contribute to the maintenance of blood pressure during hypotension in humans.

Effects of arginine-vasopressin on regional blood volume distribution in supine humans.

In healthy humans, the increase in arterial blood pressure seen in patients with autonomic dysfunction in response to exogenous vasopressin (AVP) is abolished. We tested the hypothesis that redistribution of blood from the intra- to the extrathoracic vascular compartment might contribute to this buffer response. Regional distribution of 99mTc labeled autologous red cells was assessed in healthy supine volunteers (n = 7) during arginine-vasopressin administration (1 ng.kg-1 bolus i.v. followed by a 14-min infusion of 3 ng.kg-1 x min-1), along with arterial and central venous pressures, and heart rate. Exogenous vasopressin increased plasma vasopressin concentration from 4.0 +/- 1.4 SEM to 91 pg.ml-1 +/- 12. Thoracic counts increased slightly but significantly by 2.2% +/- 0.9, while global abdominal counts remained unchanged. Most surprisingly, counts in the liver markedly increased (+8.1% +/- 1.8, p = 0.02), but significantly decreased in the spleen (-3.1% +/- 1.4). Intestinal (-2.5% +/- 2.4) and limb counts did not change significantly. Consistent with the increase in thoracic counts central venous pressure increased from 3.6 mmHg +/- 1 to 4.7 +/- 1 (p = 0.02), while arterial pressure and heart rate did not change. All changes reversed towards baseline when vasopressin administration ceased. Thus, in humans with an intact autonomic system, vasopressin, at concentrations observed during hypotension, increases liver and, albeit to a small extent, also thoracic blood volume, but decreases splenic blood content. These results: 1) are incompatible with the hypothesis that AVP induces a shift of blood from intra- to extrathoracic capacitance vessels, and 2) show that AVP increases rather than decreases central blood volume.

Endocrine and hemodynamic responses to dopamine infusion in the guinea-pig: effects of ACE inhibition with perindopril.

The effects of dopamine on plasma renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system vasopressin levels and blood pressure were studied in anesthetized guinea-pig. The inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzyme with perindopril permitted assessment of the role of the renin-angiotensin system. In perindopril-treated guinea-pigs, the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme was decreased by 90% with simultaneous increases in plasma renin activity and angiotensin I concentration; aldosterone and vasopressin levels, blood pressure and heart rate were not modified. Dopamine depressed mean arterial pressure by 30% and increased heart rate (8%) in controls. Dopamine infusion did not affect either plasma renin activity or angiotensin I concentration or angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in control animals. But in perindopril pretreated animals it further increased plasma renin activity (88%) and angiotensin I concentration (35%). Finally, in controls, dopamine infusion increased plasma vasopressin concentrations (91%) whereas this increase did not occur in perindopril treated animals.

Amygdala kindling elevates plasma vasopressin

Acute and chronic effects of epilepsy on endocrine function are known to occur in humans with partial seizures of limbic origin and in animals with limbic kindled seizures. The amygdala, a component of the limbic system, has dense hypothalamic connections and amygdala stimulation in monkeys and cats result in vasopressin release. In the present study we sought to determine if amygdala stimulation in the rats results in an immediate acute release of vasopressin and to determine if acute or chronic changes occur in vasopressin release in the fully kindled animal. Plasma vasopressin, osmolality and hematocrit were measured in blood samples drawn from rats with implanted venous catheters before and after stimulation and at different stages of kindling. Low-frequency (15 Hz) electrical stimulation of the amygdala was followed by an immediate, 3-fold increase in plasma vasopressin concentration. Moreover, although the 60 Hz kindling stimulus did not result in a significant immediate rise in plasma vasopressin prior to kindling, after kindling to stage 5 seizures the 60 Hz kindling stimulus resulted in seizures and a significant immediate rise in plasma vasopressin. In addition, we found that kindling was followed by a significant, though modest, rise in the resting plasma vasopressin without an accompanying change in osmolality or hematocrit. We conclude that kindling results in a persistent alteration in the vasopressinergic neuroendocrine system.

Vasopressin Release Following Microinjection of Angiotensin II into the Caudal Ventrolateral Medulla Oblongata in the Anaesthetized Rabbit

Abstract Stimulation of the caudal ventrolateral medulla in rats and rabbits elicits secretion of vasopressin from the neurohypophysis. Inhibition of the area attenuates baroreceptor-initiated vasopressin secretion. Angiotensin II receptor binding sites and angiotensin-like immunoreactive nerve terminals are localized in the caudal ventrolateral medulla, in the region of the A1 noradrenaline-synthesizing neurons. To examine the possible functional role of angiotensin II in this region, we have microinjected angiotensin II into the A1 area in the urethane-anaesthetized rabbit. Microinjection of angiotensin II (0.1 to 100 pmol in 100 nl) stimulated vasopressin secretion (plasma vasopressin concentration increased from 24 +/- 8 pg/ml to 104 +/- 8 pg/ml following microinjection of 10 pmol angiotensin II) and produced a depressor response with bradycardia. The responsive area was confined to the region of the A1 cell group. AII responses were blocked by prior intramedullary injection of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, [Sar(1), Thr(8)] angiotensin II (2 nmol in 200 nl), which had no effect on the response to the excitatory amino-acid N-methyl-D-aspartate. Following spinal blockade of efferent sympathetic activity, microinjections of angiotensin II into the caudal ventrolateral medulla caused a similar increase in plasma vasopressin concentration without a depressor response, demonstrating that the stimulation of vasopressin release by angiotensin II was not secondary to hypotension. Microinjection of [Sar(1), Thr(8)] angiotensin II dramatically attenuated the normal secretion of vasopressin in response to systemic haemorrhage. Following injection of vehicle into the caudal ventrolateral medulla, haemorrhage stimulated an increase in plasma vasopressin concentration from 3 +/- 1 pg/ml to 335 +/- 75 pg/ ml (n = 5). After microinjection of [Sar(1), Thr(8)] angiotensin II the haemorrhage-induced change in vasopressin concentration was only 17 +/- 6 pg/ml to 35 +/- 7 pg/ml (n = 4). Microinjection of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, DL-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (5 nmol, n = 4), did not alter the secretion of vasopressin in response to haemorrhage. These results in the anaesthetized rabbit suggest that angiotensin II in the caudal ventrolateral medulla may have a physiological role in baroreceptor control of vasopressin release.

Sexual dimorphism in vasopressin and cardiovascular response to hemorrhage in the rat.

There is evidence for sex-related differences in the cardiovascular actions of vasopressin. Furthermore, receptors for the gonadal steroid hormones are located in centers in the brain involved in the control of vasopressin release and in cardiovascular regulation. We have, therefore, examined the effects of hemorrhage on mean arterial blood pressure, the plasma vasopressin concentration, and plasma renin concentration in conscious male and female rats. In preliminary experiments, no differences were found in blood and plasma volumes with respect to either sex or phase of the estrous cycle. In separate experiments, rats were subjected to two hemorrhages of 10% of blood volume, separated by an interval of 15 minutes. There were no substantial gender- or cycle-related differences in the ability of hemorrhaged rats to maintain mean arterial blood pressure or increase plasma renin concentration. The increase in plasma vasopressin concentration was greater in proestrous females than in males after the first hemorrhage and in diestrous, proestrous, and metestrous females than in males after the second hemorrhage. Pretreatment with a V1-receptor antagonist was without statistically significant effect on the mean arterial blood pressure responses in males, but it impaired blood pressure compensation in females. There are, then, gender- and cycle-related differences in vasopressin responses to hemorrhage, and vasopressin appears particularly important for blood pressure compensation to hemorrhage in female rats.

Hemodynamic and behavioral effects of angiotensin II in conscious sheep

Intracerebroventricular (ivt) angiotensin II (ANG II) at 0.4, 2, 10, and 50 ng.kg-1.min-1 increased arterial pressure in conscious sheep in a dose-related manner (26 mmHg, P less than 0.05, at 50 ng.kg-1.min-1). Total peripheral resistance (TPR) and right atrial pressure also increased. Heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output did not change. Pressor responses to ivt ANG II were not caused by leakage of ANG II into the periphery, because plasma concentrations of ANG II did not change from control (31 +/- 7 pg/ml) at the highest dose of ANG II infused. In contrast, intravenous (iv) ANG II, 10 and 50 ng.kg-1.min-1, increased arterial pressure 29 and 47 mmHg, respectively (P less than 0.05), and decreased heart rate. ANG II, 10 ng.kg-1.min-1 iv, increased plasma ANG II levels from 36 +/- 6 to 354 +/- 69 pg/ml (P less than 0.05). Intracarotid (ic) ANG II, 10 ng.kg-1.min-1, increased arterial pressure 31 mmHg (P less than 0.05) but did not alter heart rate. ANG II ivt caused a dose-related drinking response, with a positive correlation between the amount of water drunk during ivt ANG II infusion and the increase in arterial pressure. Infusions of ANG II at 50 ng.kg-1.min-1 ivt were associated with decreased plasma osmolality and potassium concentration and increased plasma vasopressin concentration.

Effect of ovariectomy and treatment with ovarian steroids on vasopressin release and fluid balance in the rat

Plasma vasopressin concentrations have previously been shown to vary during the oestrous cycle of the rat, being highest on the morning of pro-oestrus and lowest on dioestrus day 1. To determine the effect of gonadal steroids on vasopressin secretion and fluid balance, mature rats were ovariectomized and given oestrogen, progesterone or vehicle alone s.c. for periods of up to 16 days. Plasma vasopressin concentrations fell after ovariectomy and this was reflected in an increase in 24-h urine volume. The normal increase in plasma vasopressin concentrations seen over day-light hours was also suppressed. The change in vasopressin concentrations observed on steroid treatment depended upon both the dose and the duration. High doses of oestrogen were associated with a fall in plasma vasopressin, probably as a result of fluid retention. Thus, of an initial group of rats given silicone elastomer implants containing 50, 500 or 1000 micrograms oestradiol in oil, plasma vasopressin concentrations were reduced after 7 days treatment with 1000 micrograms oestradiol implants in association with reduced plasma sodium concentrations. Daily s.c. injections of 100 micrograms oestradiol benzoate/100 g body weight produced an immediate small increase in plasma vasopressin concentrations, but by 14 days the plasma concentrations of 0.7 +/- 0.16 pmol/l (mean +/- S.E.M.) had fallen significantly and were less than those in the vehicle-treated group (1.2 +/- 0.26 pmol/l). However, after treatment for 14 days with implants containing only 50 micrograms oestradiol, plasma vasopressin concentrations were higher compared with the group receiving vehicle alone, despite the fact that the plasma osmolality was lower in the latter group, suggesting a long term resetting of the osmoreceptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pressor responses to vasopressin in pigs and sheep with DOCA hypertension

Pressor responses to vasopressin were determined in pigs and sheep during three experimental periods: 1) before deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) treatment, 2) 21 days after DOCA implantation (100 mg/kg) when a stable hypertension had developed, and 3) after reversal of the hypertension by removing the implant in the sheep or by decreasing the dietary sodium intake in the pigs. The infusion of lysine (LVP) or arginine (AVP) vasopressin into pigs and sheep, respectively, resulted in dose-dependent increases in plasma vasopressin concentration. The levels of plasma LVP or AVP achieved by these infusions were not altered in any of the experimental periods. The administration of vasopressin resulted in dose-dependent increases in mean arterial blood pressure. However, pigs required five times more LVP than sheep required AVP to achieve similar pressor responses. The pressor responsiveness to vasopressin was attenuated when either species was made hypertensive. This effect was reversed when normal blood pressure was restored by reducing sodium intake in the pigs or by removing the DOCA implant from the sheep. These data establish that an increased pressor response to vasopressin does not contribute to DOCA hypertension in pigs or sheep.

Carotid sinus pressure and plasma vasopressin in anesthetized rabbits.

The arterial baroreceptors are known to influence the release of vasopressin, but the quantitative relationship between baroreceptor stimulation and plasma vasopressin concentration has not been defined. These experiments examine the effect of stepwise changes in carotid sinus pressure (40-160 mmHg) on the plasma concentration of vasopressin in chloralose-urethan anesthetized rabbits. Plasma vasopressin concentration (9.2 +/- 1.2 pg/ml, n = 27) did not change in response to changes in carotid sinus pressure when the aortic depressor nerves were intact. These results were unaltered by bilateral cervical vagotomy. However, after aortic depressor nerve section, decreases in carotid sinus pressure were associated with increases in plasma vasopressin concentration. There appeared to be a greater redundancy in the baroreceptor control of plasma vasopressin than in the baroreceptor control of arterial pressure or heart rate. The results provided no evidence that receptors with vagal afferents have a tonic influence on the baroreceptor control of vasopressin release in the anesthetized rabbit.

Apomorphine-Induced Nausea in Humans: Release of Vaso ressin and Pancreatic Polypeptide

Based on studies in animals and humans, it has been suggested that nausea activates the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system with resultant increases in circulating concentrations of oxytocin or vasopressin. The purpose of these studies was to determine in humans whether nausea is associated with increases in circulating concentrations of neurohypophyseal hormones or various enteropancreatic peptides (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, or pancreatic polypeptide). Nausea, induced by intravenous infusion of apomorphine, was associated with fivefold to 75-fold increases in plasma vasopressin concentrations in 7 subjects (mean increase, 41-fold), with no change in plasma oxytocin levels. Furthermore, nausea was associated with sevenfold to 16-fold increases in plasma pancreatic polypeptide concentrations (mean increase, ninefold), with no change in plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or substance P. In 1 subject refractory to nausea, there was no increase in plasma vasopressin or pancreatic polypeptide concentrations with apomorphine. These studies indicate that nausea in humans is associated with vasopressin and pancreatic polypeptide release.

Effects of CRF and ANG II on ACTH and vasopressin release in conscious dogs.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in conscious dogs and to determine whether the stimulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release by angiotensin II (ANG II) results from potentiation of the action of CRF. In addition, the possible role of CRF in the stimulation of vasopressin released by ANG II was investigated. The following experiments were performed: 1) intravenous saline infusion; 2) ANG II (10 ng.kg-1.min-1) alone; 3) vasopressin (1 ng.kg-1.min-1) alone; 4) CRF (0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 microgram/kg iv) bolus; 5) vasopressin (1 ng.kg-1.min-1) and CRF (0.1 microgram/kg) together; 6) CRF (0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 microgram/kg) and ANG II (10 ng.kg-1.min-1) together; 7) ANG II (10 ng.kg-1.min-1) followed 15 min later with CRF (0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 microgram/kg). Each dose of CRF was tested on a different day. Infusion of ANG II alone stimulated the release of ACTH, cortisol, and vasopressin. Administration of CRF produced dose-dependent increases in plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations, and the highest dose of CRF increased plasma vasopressin concentration. CRF given together with ANG II did not potentiate the stimulation of ACTH release by CRF. Vasopressin at the dose tested did not stimulate ACTH release but potentiated the ACTH response to CRF. ANG II stimulated vasopressin release but did not potentiate the AVP response to CRF. These results show that, in conscious dogs, ANG II and CRF each increase plasma ACTH concentration and that the ACTH response to CRF is potentiated by vasopressin but not by ANG II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neuropharmacological Characterization of Serotoninergic Stimulation of Vasopressin Secretion in Conscious Rats

In this study we have evaluated a possible role for brain serotoninergic neurons in the regulation of vasopressin secretion using pharmacological methods. In order to accomplish this, we have developed a specific and sensitive vasopressin radioimmunoassay along with a highly reproducible plasma extraction protocol. These tools were used to evaluate the plasma vasopressin response to several pharmacological challenges in conscious rats. Treatment with the serotonin (5-HT) releaser p-chloroamphetamine caused a significant increase in plasma vasopressin concentration. This effect was blocked by posterior hypothalamic deafferentation which separates serotonin cell bodies in the midbrain from their nerve terminals in the hypothalamus. Administration of graded doses of several 5-HT agonists had no effect. However, treatment with MK212, a serotonin agonist with 5-HT1 + 5-HT2 activity, induced a significant increase in plasma vasopressin concentration. The effect of MK212 on plasma vasopressin was completely abolished by the selective 5-HT2 receptor blocker LY53857. These studies confirm and extend studies by others that provide pharmacological evidence for serotoninergic regulation of vasopressin secretion via a selective 5-HT2 receptor mechanism. The specific neuroanatomical site(s) where serotonin exerts this effect are unknown, and the physiological consequences of these studies remain to be established.

Endocrine mechanisms regulating sodium excretion during water deprivation in dogs.

The time course and mechanism of the natriuresis that accompanies 24 h of water, but not food, deprivation were studied in eight chronically catheterized dogs. Dogs were fed a controlled diet containing 35 meq of sodium, 110 meq of potassium, and 107 ml of water at 9:00 A.M. every day (time 0), and urine and blood samples were taken at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h after feeding on 3 consecutive days: the control, dehydration, and recovery days. Twenty-four hours of water deprivation decreased body weight by 880 g, increased plasma sodium by 7.2 meq, and increased plasma osmolality by 22.5 mosmol/kg. Cumulative daily sodium excretion increased from 30.4 +/- 2.8 meq on the control day to 50.7 +/- 5.7 meq on the dehydration day (P less than 0.01) and resulted in significant negative sodium balance that developed during the last half of the dehydration day. Cumulative sodium excretion during the first half of the dehydration day was not different from the corresponding period of the control day. Cumulative potassium excretion also increased from 91.9 +/- 4.5 meq during the control day to 123.0 +/- 6.7 meq during the dehydration day (P less than 0.01). Significant and progressive increases in plasma vasopressin concentration and renin activity were observed during water deprivation, but plasma aldosterone did not change from control levels. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the rate of sodium excretion and plasma vasopressin or aldosterone concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Osmotic stimulation in DOC-salt hypertension: vasopressin and blood pressure.

To determine whether there is a change in the sensitivity of the osmotic control of vasopressin release in deoxycorticosterone (DOC)-salt hypertension, experiments were performed in unilaterally nephrectomized rats that were either normotensive or were made hypertensive with DOC and given 1% saline to drink. After 3 weeks of treatment, 2.5 mol/l NaCl was infused i.v. into conscious normotensive and hypertensive rats. Increases in both plasma osmolality and plasma vasopressin concentration were similar throughout the course of this infusion in the two groups of rats. Hypertonic saline infusion increased the mean arterial blood pressure in the two groups of rats, but this increase was partially attenuated by the i.v. injection of a vasopressin pressor antagonist. In conclusion, vasopressin release in response to osmotic stimulation was similar in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The pressor response to hypertonic saline in both groups of rats could be partially attributed to the increased plasma vasopressin concentration.

Enhanced vasopressin release upon activation of the central neural mechanism in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Monopolar electrical stimulation of the intermediate portion of the solitary nucleus in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) with cervical cordotomy and vagotomy resulted in a 1.68 times greater increase in plasma vasopressin concentration than in Wistar rats. The result implies that such an enhanced function of the central neural mechanism to release vasopressin in SHR backs up the functionally aberrant cardiovascular receptors.

Smoking-Induced Increases in Plasma Vasopressin and Reduced Platelet Hormone Sensitivity

Cigarette smoking is a major risk for coronary atherosclerosis, but the mechanism of this is still unclear. The present study demonstrates that smoking produces a variable increase in plasma vasopressin concentration but that sensitivity of platelets to this elevated endogenous vasopressin release is blunted. This suggests that cigarette smoking contributes to atherosclerosis through the vascular effects of the hormones whose release it stimulates rather than by platelet activation. The mechanism for this blunted responsiveness to vasopressin was also investigated in vitro. The rise in intracellular free calcium concentration of platelets was markedly reduced following a second administration of vasopressin, whereas the in vitro shape change response was usually unaltered and could only be reduced with specific procedures for platelet preparation. This suggests that only a small increase of intracellular free calcium is necessary for a complete shape change response induced by vasopressin. The results indicate that the shape change is mediated by an increase in intracellular free calcium which is independent from the phosphoinositol pathway and the calcium is released from intracellular pools other than by those activated by serotonin or thrombin.

Foot shock stress-induced release of vasopressin in adenohypophysectomized and hypophysectomized rats.

The effect of inescapable electric foot shock stress on vasopressin (VP) release was studied in conscious rats. In sham-operated animals, foot shock stress markedly increased plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity whereas plasma VP levels (RIA) remained unchanged. However, after selective ablation of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis, foot shock stress produced an 8-fold increase in plasma VP concentrations. Injection of hypertonic saline did not change plasma VP levels in adenohypophysectomized (Ahx) rats, while in sham-operated rats VP levels increased in response to this osmotic challenge. Neurointermediate lobes or medial basal hypothalami (MBH; containing the median eminence region) were superfused in vitro and stimulated electrically; as compared to sham operations, the evoked release of VP from the neurointermediate lobes was abolished, whereas that from the MBH was markedly (13-fold) enhanced when the tissues were taken from Ahx rats. The VP-like immunoreactivity released from the MBH of Ahx rats comigrated with synthetic arginine-VP on Sephadex G-15 column chromatography. Similarly, as found in Ahx rats, foot shock stress markedly raised plasma VP levels in totally hypophysectomized rats, whereas after selective ablation of the neurointermediate lobe of the hypophysis VP levels increased only slightly after stress. In conclusion, our data indicate that 1) foot shock stress induces the release of VP from some site other than the neurohypophysis, probably from the median eminence region, in Ahx rats; and 2) an increase in plasma osmolality is a powerful stimulus for the release of VP from the neurohypophysis but cannot release VP from the median eminence region. Thus, our results support the concept of a morphological and functional differentiation of the vasopressinergic neurosecretory system.

Plasma vasopressin during increases and decreases in blood volume in anaesthetized dogs.

In chloralose-anaesthetized dogs, plasma vasopressin concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay during step changes in blood volume of 4 mL/kg over a range of blood volume from +20 to -12 mL/kg. Blood volume was both increased and decreased over this range. There was a logarithmic relationship between blood volume and plasma vasopressin concentration over the range of blood volume examined. There was also a logarithmic relationship between blood volume and mean left atrial pressure. Linear regression between the natural logarithm of plasma vasopressin concentration and mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and mean left atrial pressure gave the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.94) between vasopressin and mean arterial pressure. The results support the hypothesis that there are sensitive mechanisms controlling the release of vasopressin in response to changes in blood volume. Observations were also made of changes in atrial pressure and activity of left atrial receptors during changes in blood volume over the same range. The results suggest that changes in atrial receptor activity are unlikely to be the major cause of the large increases in plasma vasopressin concentration associated with hypovolemia.

Response, regulation, and actions of vasopressin during exercise: a review.

Plasma concentrations of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone), a powerful pressor agent and primary regulator of body fluid homeostasis, are elevated in a dose-related fashion to increases in exercise intensity. The response of plasma vasopressin levels to exercise is not modified by gender, but is reduced with training at absolute submaximal exercise intensities. However, the duration of the exercise and hydration status of the subject alters the observed increase. The increase in plasma vasopressin concentrations during exercise may be mediated by a variety of factors: plasma osmolality, blood pressure, blood volume, plasma concentrations of angiotensin II, psychological variables, and peripheral nerve stimulation. Furthermore, decreases in the metabolism of vasopressin, due to alterations in renal and hepatic blood flow during exercise, may contribute to the increase in plasma concentrations. Although plasma vasopressin concentrations are elevated during exercise, there is no definitive effect during exercise, as the excretion rate of free water is increased, sweat rate and composition are not changed, and a role in plasma volume regulation is dubious. Thus, the function of the elevation in plasma vasopressin levels during exercise is unclear at the present time.