antidiuretic hormone (ADH; vasopressin) A hormone, secreted by the posterior pituitary gland, that stimulates reabsorption of water by the kidneys and thus controls the concentration of body fluids. ADH is produced by specialized nerve cells in the hypothalamus of the brain and is transported to the posterior pituitary in the bloodstream. Deficiency of ADH results in a disorder known as diabetes insipidus, in which large volumes of urine are excreted; it is treated by administration of natural or synthetic hormone. See also neurophysin.

antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (anti-dy-yoor-et-ik) n. see vasopressin.

antidiuretic hormone See VASOPRESSIN.