Question

What is the the function of ADH hormone?

Answer 1

ADH stands for antidiuretic hormone, which is also known as vasopressin.

ADH is produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland. It's released from there into the bloodstream, and it affects how the kidneys work by letting them know how much water they need to keep in or get out of the body.

It plays an important role in the water balance (osmoregulation) of the body. When the fluid contents of the body become highly concentrated, ADH is secreted. This reaches the kidney via blood capillaries where it increases the permeability of the tubules thereby most of the water is reab­sorbed and the urine gets concentrated with reduction in volume.

When the blood flows past the hypothalamus, which is the detection center of the brain, any imbalance of water in the blood is detected. If there's a problem (dehydration or too much water ) the hypothalamus goes to work to correct things by telling the pituitary gland how much ADH to release.


If ADH secretion is reduced, production of urine increases.
It also constricts blood vessels with rise in blood pressure.

This hormone maintains the proper osmotic concentration of the blood plasma.