Current concepts of volume receptor regulation of vasopressin release.

For 2 decades evidence accumulated that supported the Gauer-Henry hypothesis tying blood volume changes to the control of vasopressin (VP). By the mid 1970's this left atrial hypothesis was generally accepted even though there was a significant body of conflicting data and several definitive questions that had not been answered. In the last decade numerous investigations have addressed these questions and although there are better answers for some, others remain elusive. Pertinent work during the past 10 years is reviewed in the framework of some of these questions. The emphasis is placed on the location of the primary volume receptors, determination of the threshold for effects on VP, the degree of volume-pressure receptor and volume-osmotic receptor interactions, and species differences.