Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is released from the posterior pituitary, in response to either increased plasma osmolality detected by brain osmoreceptors or decreased blood volume and blood pressure sensed by low-pressure volume receptors and arterial baroreceptors. The hormone exerts its actions through three welldefined receptor subtypes: vascular V1a, hormonereleasing V1b (V3), and renal V2 receptors. 1-3 Both V1a and V2 receptors are ...
