Role of vasopressin in fetal homeostasis

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Abstract
The role of vasopressin (VP) and the kidney in the maintenance of solute and volume homeostasis was studied in chronically instrumented fetal lambs during the 3rd trimester. Plasma VP, urine and plasma osmolality, and urine output were measured in 74 simultaneous samples. The results show a strong positive nonlinear correlation between plasma VP and osmolality when the latter is > 290 mosmole/kg (r = 0.803, P = 0.03), and between plasma VP and urine osmolality (r = 0.806, P = 0.05). No correlation was found between fetal and maternal plasma VP. Linear correlations were found in plasma osmolality and Na concentrations between mother and fetus; mean maternal-fetal gradients were 4 mosmole/kg and 3.1 meq/l, respectively. The highest values for plasma VP and osmolality found were 7.0 pg/ml and 317 mosmole/kg, respectively. These values corresponded to urine output of 0.02 ml/kg per min and osmolality of 517 mosmole/kg. The relationships among plasma osmolality, palsma VP concentration and urine osmolality in the lamb fetus are qualitatively similar to those of the adult. The fetal neurohypophysis and kidney may participate in the maintenance of fetal osmolar and volume homeostasis.

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