Effect of vasopressin analogue (dDAVP) on potassium transport in medullary collecting duct.

The microcatheterization technique was used to examine electrolyte transport in the medullary collecting duct of two groups of anesthetized rats during water diuresis and during a second experimental phase with 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) administration or continued water diuresis. Potassium reabsorption of 53-61% of the delivered load was consistently observed in the medullary collecting duct during water diuresis. During dDAVP administration, urinary potassium excretion doubled, and there was no net potassium transport (reabsorption or secretion) in the medullary collecting duct. The change in potassium transport in medullary collecting duct from water diuresis to antidiuresis (dDAVP) was sufficient to account for the increase in urinary potassium excretion. Changes in flow rate, luminal sodium concentration, or collecting duct sodium reabsorption could not account for the changes in potassium transport in the collecting duct during dDAVP. The results are interpreted as indicating that dDAVP stimulates potassium entry (secretion) into the medullary collecting duct, probably by a direct effect. This action of antidiuretic hormone appears to be important in maintaining potassium homeostasis during changing water balance.