Determination and characterization of arginine-vasopressin in extracted and unextracted urine and its urinary excretion in normal children and adolescents.

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) was measured by radioimmunoassay in extracted and unextracted urine using two different antisera. The specificity of the assay was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography. By the use of a high specific antiserum, AVP can reliably be measured in unextracted urine. Measurements with a less specific antiserum revealed higher concentrations, probably due to nonspecific binding. The extraction of AVP by the use of octadecasilyl-silica columns is unable to separate the intact hormone from substances interfering with the assay. The urinary AVP excretion in 34 normal children and adolescents ranged between 3.5 and 120 ng/m2/24 h with a mean of 39.1 +/- 29.9 ng/m2/24 h.