Question

Why is vasopressin also called as antidiuretic hormone?

Answer 1

Vasopressin :

1. It is a nonapeptide hormone that is synthesized in specialized neurons of paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus contained within Herring bodies in the posterior pituitary.
2. It plays a central role in the maintenance of osmolality.

It is called antidiuretic hormone because:

1. It increases the permeability of epithelial tissue cells present in the distal and collecting tubule of the renal tubules.
2. Thus, it increases the reabsorption of water from these renal tubules.
3. ADH thus decreases the volume of excretory urine and the nature of urine becomes hypertonic (concentrated).
4. Due to this type of function, vasopressin is known as an antidiuretic hormone.