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Anti-Diuretic Hormone

Meaning

Anti-Diuretic Hormone, formally known as Arginine Vasopressin or AVP, is a vital neurohypophyseal peptide that is paramount for maintaining the body’s precise osmotic balance and circulating blood volume homeostasis. Its primary physiological site of action is the renal tubules, where it dictates the rate of water reabsorption back into the bloodstream, directly controlling the concentration and total output of urine. Pathological disruptions in the synthesis or action of AVP lead to significant disorders of water balance, most notably the condition known as diabetes insipidus, which severely compromises the body’s fluid and electrolyte equilibrium.