Effect of Acute Hypoxaemia on Plasma Arginine Vasopressin in Conscious Man

Abstract
Acute hypoxemia was reported to stimulate vasopressin release in animals. Hypoxemia induced by breathing 9.3% O2 for 15-20 min failed to produce a rise in plasma arginine vasopressin concentration in 6 out of 8 healthy human subjects. The 2 subjects who developed an increase in plasma arginine vasopressin concentration had a significant rise in serum cortisol. Breathing 100% N2 until impairment of consciousness caused no rise in plasma arginine vasopressin concentration.