ADH (an acronym for Anti- Diuretic Hormone), also called Vasopressin, is a naturally occurring hormone. It controls numerous physical processes and prevents life-threatening conditions, such as bleeding abnormalities and septic shocks. Its primary function is regulating and balancing the amount of water in the blood and increasing the glomerular blood flow by increasing the blood pressure. Let’s discuss the functions of the ADH hormone and the disorders associated with it.
| Table of Content |
Keyterms: Hormone, Vasopressin, Blood, Blood flow, Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland, Brain, Blood vessels, Blood pressure, ADH hormone, Homeostasis
What is ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The anti-diuretic hormone is produced within the hypothalamus, secreted by the neurohypophysis of the pituitary gland below the brain, and is activated by the posterior portion of the pituitary gland. It stimulates the constriction of blood vessels. A higher concentration of ADH tightens the blood vessels, increasing the blood pressure.
Read More About:
| Topic Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cortisol Hormone | Growth Hormone | Embryology |
| Luteinizing Hormone | Pineal Gland | Reproductive Health |
Functions of ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)
[Click Here for Previous Year Questions]
Following are the main functions of the anti-diuretic hormone:
- It regulates the circadian rhythm.
- It is responsible for homeostasis.
- It maintains cellular functions.
- It actively monitors and controls the quantity of water within the body.
- It acts on the kidneys and the blood vessels, controlling the blood pressure.
- It reduces the quantity of water excreted through the urine by allowing the water within the urine to be taken back during a specific area within the kidney, thus conserving the body fluid.
Regulation of ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Following are the factors regulating the release of the anti-diuretic hormone into the bloodstream.
- Massive blood vessels indicate a decrease in blood volume or blood pressure, thus making the receptors present in the heart stimulates the discharge of ADH.
- The secretion of ADH is also regulated by the increase in the concentration of salts in the bloodstream. This is identified by special nerve cells in the hypothalamus.
- The discharge of ADH is prevented by the consumption of alcohol, causing dehydration and increased production of urine.
- The water is retained by the kidney if the amount of ADH is high. Excess water retention causes dilation of blood when excess ADH is released. As a result, there is a decrease in the salt concentration in the blood.
- Lung diseases, medicines, etc. can also cause high levels of ADH as side effects. Increased ADH is related to leukemia, lymphoma, bladder cancer, brain cancer, etc.
Read More: Thyroid Cancer
Hormone Levels and Risk Factors of Antidiuretic Hormone
[Click Here for Previous Year Questions]
A low level of ADH in blood cells results in the following:
- Diabetes insipidus
- Primary polydipsia
- Damage to hypothalamus or pituitary gland
- Excessive excretion of water by the kidneys, and consequent increase in urine volume and low blood pressure.
High levels of ADH in blood cells results in the following:
- Nausea, vomiting, headache, dehydration.
- Coma and seizures in extreme cases.
- Cancers of lungs, brain, pancreas, blood, etc.
- Other diseases such as tuberculosis, epilepsy, emphysema, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, etc.
Read More About:
Disorders Associated with ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Disorders associated with high or low levels of the anti-diuretic hormone include:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Change in appetite
- Delayed puberty
- Fluctuations in body temperature
- Fluctuations in blood pressure
- Frequent urination
- Genetic disorders
- Head Injuries
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Tumors within the hypothalamus or regions near the pituitary.
Things to Remember
- Osmotic sensors and baroreceptors work with ADH to maintain water metabolism. The osmotic sensors in the hypothalamus react to the concentration of particles in the blood.
- Low levels of ADH can be caused by compulsive water drinking or low blood serum osmolality, that is, the concentration of particles in the blood.
- Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH (SIADH), also called ectopic ADH secretion may be the cause behind high levels of ADH in the blood.
- Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is not related to the more common diabetes mellitus, which affects the level of insulin hormone in the blood.
- Higher level of ADH causes Nausea, vomiting, headache, dehydration.
Previous Year Questions
- Hypothetical plant hormones are...[AIIMS 2014]
- Aldosterone is secreted by:...[MU OET 2005]
- Which one is a synthetic Auxin:….[UPSEE 2018]
- Testosterone is produced by...[NEET 1993]
- The blood calcium level is lowered by the deficiency of...[NEET 2008]
- Rapid increase in the blood sugar level of a patient can be immediately reduced by...[KCET 2008]
- Choose the wrong statement among the following
- The pineal gland secretes
- Farathormone deficiency in blood causes:….[JIPMER 1995]
- The alternative form of gene is called…..[AMUEEE 2015]
- The hormone insulin is secreted by :...[JKCET 2006]
- Which is not a gonadal hormone?...[WBJEE 2007]
- Tetany is caused by...[WBJEE 2011]
- The hormone that controls the level of calcium and phosphorus in the blood is secreted by:...[AFMC 2005]
- During emergency, which one of the following hormone is important?..[UP CPMT 2000]
- Presence of glucose in urine is called
- The amino acid derivative among the following hormone is:
- Gigantism and acromegaly are due to improper functioning of:...[JIPMER 1996]
- Progesterone level falls during...[AMUEEE 2008]
- Regeneration of liver is
Sample Questions
Ques: What is an ADH test? (3 marks)
Ans: The ADH test is a test used to analyze the amount of ADH present in the blood. It diagnoses and determines the main causes of oversecretion and the deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone in the blood cells.
The test is based both on osmolality and on electrolytes of blood and urine. According to reports, the normal range of ADH is 1-5 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).
Ques: What is the hypothalamus? (3 marks)
Ans: The hypothalamus is a minute region, almost the size of an almond. It is present at the center of the human brain, near the pituitary gland. It is divided into anterior, middle, and posterior regions.
The hypothalamus is responsible for the production of hormones. Improper functioning of the hypothalamus may cause several disorders.
Ques: Why is ADH also called vasopressin? (2 marks)
Ans: In general, vasopressin decreases water excretion by the kidneys by increasing water reabsorption in the collecting ducts, hence its other name of antidiuretic hormone.
Ques: What is meant by antidiuretic hormone? (2 marks)
Ans: The anti-diuretic hormone is produced within the hypothalamus, secreted by the neurohypophysis of the pituitary gland below the brain, and is activated by the posterior portion of the pituitary gland. It stimulates the constriction of blood vessels. A higher concentration of ADH tightens the blood vessels, increasing the blood pressure.
Ques: How to stop the excessive effect of ADH on kidneys? (2 marks)
Ans: The first step to prevent the excessive effects of ADH is to limit fluid intake. This helps prevent excess fluid from building up in the body. Medicines may be needed to block the effects of ADH on the kidneys so that excess water is excreted by the kidneys.
Ques: How is ADH deficiency treated? (3 marks)
Ans: Typically, deficiency of ADH is treated with a man-made hormone called desmopressin (eg. DDAVP, Minirin). This medication replaces the missing anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) and decreases urination. However, taking more desmopressin than needed can cause water retention and potentially serious low-sodium levels in the blood.
Ques: How does ADH modify social behavior? (4 marks)
Ans: ADH is a hormone that is neurohypophysial and found in most mammals. It has been proved that it plays an important role in social behavior. Through experiments in several species, it has been proved that the precise distribution of vasopressin (ADH) and vasopressin receptors in the brain is associated with species-typical patterns of social behavior.
There is also evidence that differences in the AVP receptor gene between individual members of species might be predictive of differences in social behavior.
Ques: What are the functions of the antidiuretic hormone? (4 marks)
Ans: Following are the main functions of the anti-diuretic hormone:
- It regulates the circadian rhythm.
- It is responsible for homeostasis.
- It maintains cellular functions.
- It actively monitors and controls the quantity of water within the body.
- It acts on the kidneys and the blood vessels, controlling the blood pressure.
Ques: What are the risk factors of a low level of ADH in blood cells? (4 marks)
Ans: The risk factors of a low level of ADH in blood cells are:
- Diabetes insipidus
- Primary polydipsia
- Damage to hypothalamus or pituitary gland
- Excessive excretion of water by the kidneys, and consequent increase in urine volume and low blood pressure.
Ques: What are the factors regulating the release of the anti-diuretic hormone into the bloodstream? (5 marks)
Ans: The factors regulating the release of the anti-diuretic hormone into the bloodstream are:
- Massive blood vessels indicate a decrease in blood volume or blood pressure, thus making the receptors present in the heart stimulates the discharge of ADH.
- The secretion of ADH is also regulated by the increase in the concentration of salts in the bloodstream. This is identified by special nerve cells in the hypothalamus.
- The discharge of ADH is prevented by the consumption of alcohol, causing dehydration and increased production of urine.
- The water is retained by the kidney if the amount of ADH is high. Excess water retention causes dilation of blood when excess ADH is released. As a result, there is a decrease in the salt concentration in the blood.
- Lung diseases, medicines, etc. can also cause high levels of ADH as side effects. Increased ADH is related to leukemia, lymphoma, bladder cancer, brain cancer, etc.
For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here:https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
Also Check:
Comments