Relationship Between Endogenous Antidiuretic Hormone Activity and ACTH Release in Man

Abstract

Summary

1) The hypothesis that ADH is the neurohormone responsible for ACTH release has been investigated in normal human subjects by simultaneous determination of urine osmolality and plasma hydrocortisone levels in various test situations. 2) The data indicate that in normal human subjects endogenous ADH release may occur without an increase in ACTH release. Furthermore, it has been shown that an increase in ACTH release may occur without evidence of ADH release. These observations fail to support the concept that endogenous ADH release stimulates the release of ACTH.