THE EFFECT OF VASOPRESSIN ON WATER AND ELECTROLYTE EXCRETION BY THE SHEEP

Abstract

SUMMARY The acute effects of vasopressin (40 mU) were studied in the conscious sheep. Vasopressin caused consistent increases in K and C1 excretion and variable increases in Na and total solute output. These changes occurred within 10 min., reached a peak within 30 min. and subsided within 60 min. When the urine was initially dilute (< 800 μosmoles/ml.) vasopressin caused an antidiuresis. When the original concentration exceeded 1000 (μosmoles/ml. vasopressin caused small increases in urine flow. Vasopressin always increased water reabsorption relative to solute reabsorption.