Question

Give the full form of ADH. Name the gland that secretes it. Under what condition of the body is it released? What is its role in forming hypertonic urine? What is the disease caused due to the failure of its Secretion?

Answer 1

ADH stands for Antidiuretic hormone, also known as vasopressin. It is secreted from the posterior pituitary. Osmoreceptors in the body are activated by changes in blood volume, body fluid volume and ionic concentration. An excessive loss of fluid from the body can activate these receptors which stimulate the hypothalamus to release antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin from the neurohypophysis. ADH facilitates water reabsorption from latter parts of the tubule, thereby preventing diuresis. By doing so, ADH also helps in forming hypertonic urine.

Failure of ADH secretion results in a disease known as diabetes insipidus.