vasopressin

noun va·so·pres·sin \ ˌvā-zō-ˈpre-sᵊn \

Updated on: 3 Apr 2018

Definition of vasopressin

: a polypeptide hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland or obtained synthetically that increases blood pressure and decreases urine flow — called also antidiuretic hormone

Recent Examples of vasopressin from the Web

In his own research with rats and voles, vasopressin promoted some maternal behaviors.

— andrea marks, Scientific American, "Why Some Mice Seem to Make Bad Parents," 1 July 2017
Those dogs that were more aggressive towards other dogs, however, had more vasopressin.

— National Geographic, "Why Are Some Dogs More Aggressive?," 4 Oct. 2017
Block vasopressin and the male voles shifted back to their more peaceable selves.

— National Geographic, "Why Are Some Dogs More Aggressive?," 4 Oct. 2017
Further experiments revealed vasopressin as the culprit.

— National Geographic, "Why Are Some Dogs More Aggressive?," 4 Oct. 2017
Other research shows that social connection helps to shift the nervous system into a restful state and releases hormones that have anti-inflammatory properties, like oxytocin and vasopressin.

— brad stulberg, The Cut, "How to Actually Get Some Rest for Once," 4 Oct. 2017
In his own research with rats and voles, vasopressin promoted some maternal behaviors.

— andrea marks, Scientific American, "Why Some Mice Seem to Make Bad Parents," 26 June 2017
The compound seems to work by targeting the action of a receptor called the type-2 vasopressin receptor, which is involved in the disease, the researchers said.

— Fox News, "Snake solution: Dangerous venom could fight kidney disease," 23 June 2017
But when rats have young, a surge of vasopressin helps push them to start caring for their pups.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "Why Are Some Mice (and People) Monogamous? A Study Points to Genes," 19 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vasopressin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vasopressin

from Vasopressin, a trademark

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1927

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

vasopressin

noun va·so·pres·sin \ ˌvā-zō-ˈpres-ᵊn \

medical Definition of vasopressin

: a polypeptide hormone that is secreted together with oxytocin by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, is also obtained synthetically, and increases blood pressure and exerts an antidiuretic effect — called also antidiuretic hormone, beta-hypophamine; see arginine vasopressin, lysine vasopressin, pitressin