Vasopressin and related disorders.

has long been intensively studied from various different viewpoints. The synthesis, secretion, and biologic effects of the hormone had been studied using electrophysiologic and neurophysiologic techniques. With the recent development of techniques involving molecular biology, the details of these mechanisms are now becoming understood. On the other hand, the clinical assessment of posterior pituitary function in patients with polyuria has been also improved using a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay system. The findings of recent fundamental and clinical studies in this area are reviewed.