Abstract
1. The changes in urinary and renal tissue composition induced by continuous, intravenous infusion of lysine-vasopressin (60 mu-u./min. 100 g body wt. until steady-state conditions prevailed) in normally hydrated, hydropaenic, saline-loaded (0.9%, w/v) and mannitol-loaded (15%, w/v) rats were determined and compared with those induced in water-loaded rats.2. Previous reports that the urinary responses to antidiuretic hormones vary both with hydration status and with concurrent solute excretion rate were confirmed.3. The data show that variations in urinary responses were accompanied by differences in the papillary responses to lysine-vasopressin.4. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of hydration and concurrent solute excretion on factors influencing (a) medullary accumulation of water and solute, (b) osmotic water reabsorption and (c) osmotic equilibration across the collecting duct; and of the effects of lysine-vasopressin on these factors.5. It is concluded that the effects of hydration and solute excretion on the antidiuretic responses to lysine-vasopressin may be interpreted by differences in (a) the medullary composition prevailing at the start and (b) any further changes in medullary composition that can be induced under the experimental circumstances.