With water intake, the plasma osmolarity decreases, and negative feedback decreases the synthesis, secretion, and blood concentration of vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone, ADH). |
Before water intake (at baseline), we will make the assumption that the subject is in homeostasis with adequate strength of the plasma osmolarity-decreasing effect of water reabsorption (through the water channels, which are increased by vasopressin, ADH) as well as normal plasma and urine osmolarities (isotonic) and urine volume.
Step 1: With water intake, water enters the plasma and osmolarity decreases (diluted, hypotonic).
Step 2: This is in the same direction as the plasma osmolarity-decreasing effect of the water reabsorption (through the water channels, which are increased by vasopressin, ADH). Thus, although the strength of the plasma osmolarity-decreasing effect of water reabsorption (through the water channels, which are increased by vasopressin, ADH) was adequate before water intake (at baseline), this strength is now too strong (red) to reverse the decreased plasma osmolarity (diluted, hypotonic) produced by water intake. Control by negative feedback is needed.
Step 3: With the strength of the plasma osmolarity-decreasing effect of the water reabsorption (through the water channels, which are increased by vasopressin, ADH) before water intake (at baseline) being too strong (red), the negative feedback decreases (blue) (the synthesis, secretion, and blood concentration of) vasopressin (ADH).
Step 4: The water channel-increasing effect of vasopressin (ADH) becomes weaker, which decreases the number of water channels. This decreases the water reabsorption from the tubule.
Step 5: With the decrease in water reabsorption, concentrated (hypertonic) solution enters the plasma. This will lead to a reverse in the decreased plasma osmolarity (diluted, hypotonic) produced by water intake, increasing it towards normal (baseline, isotonic) osmolarity. Because concentrated (hypertonic) solution leaves the tubule due to reabsorption, the fluid remaining in the tubule has a decreased osmolarity (diluted, hypotonic). Also, with the decrease in water reabsorption, there is more water remaining in the tubule. Overall, the urine becomes diluted and increases in volume.