Introduction: Anti-diuretic hormone is produced by special nerve cells found at the base of the brain known as the hypothalamus. The nerve cells transport the hormone down the nerve fibres (axons) to the posterior pituitary gland and the hormone is released into the bloodstream. Anti-diuretic hormone helps to control blood pressure by acting on the kidneys and the blood vessels. The important role is to conserve the fluid volume of the body by reducing the amount of water passed out in the urine. It functions by allowing water in the urine to be taken back into the body in a specific area of the kidney. Thus, more water returns to the bloodstream, urine concentration rises and water loss is reduced. Higher concentrations of anti-diuretic hormone cause blood vessels to constrict (become narrower) and thus increases blood pressure. A deficiency of body fluid (dehydration) can only be finally restored by increasing water intake.
SKU: KBD1049