Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) Technical Specification Sheet
Molecular Properties
| Parameter |
Value |
| Chemical Name |
Arginine Vasopressin / Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) / Argipressin |
| Amino Acid Sequence |
Cys-Tyr-Phe-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Arg-Gly-NH₂ (disulfide bridge: Cys1-Cys6) |
| Molecular Formula |
C₄₆H₆₅N₁₅O₁₂S₂ |
| Molecular Weight |
1084.23 g/mol |
| CAS Number |
113-79-1 |
| Sequence Length |
9 amino acids (cyclic nonapeptide with 6-membered ring) |
| Receptor Targets |
V1a, V1b (V3), V2 receptors; secondary affinity for oxytocin receptor |
Physical Properties
| Property |
Specification |
| Appearance |
White to off-white lyophilized powder |
| Solubility |
Soluble in water, dilute acetic acid, or saline at ≥1 mg/mL; pH 3.5-5.5 |
| pH (1% solution) |
3.5 - 5.5 (acidic for stability) |
| Hygroscopicity |
Moderate; desiccated storage required |
| Solution Stability |
Stable at 4°C for 7-10 days at pH 3.5-5.5; degrades at neutral/alkaline pH |
Analytical Specifications
| Test |
Specification |
| HPLC Purity |
≥98.0% |
| Mass Spectrometry |
Confirmed [M+H]⁺ = 1084.23 ± 0.5 Da; disulfide bridge intact |
| Peptide Content |
≥95% (by amino acid analysis) |
| Disulfide Bond Integrity |
≥98% (confirmed by mass spec and biological activity) |
| Endotoxin Level |
<1.0 EU/mg |
| Acetate Content |
≤5% |
| Water Content |
≤5% (Karl Fischer) |
Storage Parameters
| Condition |
Specification |
| Lyophilized Storage |
-20°C to -80°C, desiccated, protected from light |
| Lyophilized Shelf Life |
36 months when stored properly |
| Reconstituted Storage |
2-8°C for up to 10 days at pH 3.5-5.5; -20°C for up to 3 months |
| Reconstitution Protocol |
Add 1.0 mL sterile water or 0.1M acetic acid to 1 mg vial; vortex gently 30 seconds |
| Freeze-Thaw Cycles |
Maximum 3 cycles; single-use aliquots recommended |
| Light Sensitivity |
Moderate; store in amber vials and protect from direct light |
Research Dosing Reference
| Application |
Typical Dose Range |
Frequency |
Route |
| In Vitro Cell Studies |
1-1000 nM |
Acute or chronic exposure |
Culture media |
| Small Animal Models (Rodent) |
0.1-5 μg/kg (antidiuretic); 0.5-10 μg/kg (pressor) |
Single bolus or infusion |
IV, SC, IP |
| Water Retention Studies (V2) |
0.1-1 μg/kg |
Single dose or continuous infusion |
IV preferred |
| Vascular Studies (V1a) |
1-10 μg/kg |
Acute bolus |
IV bolus |
| Behavioral/Stress Studies |
0.5-5 μg/animal (intranasal); 0.1-1 μg/kg (IV) |
Single dose 30-60 min pre-testing |
Intranasal or IV |
Note: Dosing information is for research reference only. Vasopressin is intended strictly for laboratory research. USP activity typically expressed as Units (U); 1 mg ≈ 400-500 USP units.
Key Research Studies
| Year |
Study Focus |
Key Findings |
| 1954 |
Structure elucidation and synthesis |
Du Vigneaud determined vasopressin structure; differs from oxytocin by 2 amino acids (positions 3 and 8); Cys1-Cys6 disulfide bridge essential for activity; synthesized with full biological potency |
| 1992-1994 |
Receptor subtype cloning |
Identified three receptor subtypes: V1a (vascular smooth muscle, liver), V1b/V3 (pituitary corticotrophs), V2 (renal collecting duct); differential Kd values: V1a ~1 nM, V1b ~1.5 nM, V2 ~0.5 nM |
| 2005 |
Central nervous system effects on social behavior |
Brain V1a receptor activation modulated social recognition, aggression, pair bonding in rodent models; species-specific V1a receptor expression patterns correlated with monogamous vs polygamous behavior |
| 2010 |
Structure-activity relationships across receptor subtypes |
Position 8 (Arg) critical for V2 selectivity; position 3 (Phe) enhances V1 selectivity vs oxytocin receptor; C-terminal Gly-NH₂ absolutely required with removal reducing potency >1000-fold |
Mechanism of Action
| Biological Pathway |
Description |
| V1a Receptor (Vascular) |
Gq-coupled → PLC → IP₃/DAG → Ca²⁺ mobilization → vascular smooth muscle contraction → vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation |
| V1b Receptor (Pituitary) |
Gq-coupled on anterior pituitary corticotrophs → ACTH release → modulation of HPA axis and stress response |
| V2 Receptor (Renal) |
Gs-coupled on collecting duct principal cells → cAMP/PKA → aquaporin-2 insertion into apical membrane → water reabsorption (antidiuretic effect) |
| Central Effects |
Modulates social recognition, circadian rhythms, temperature regulation, stress response; V1a receptors in lateral septum, hippocampus, amygdala |
| Half-Life |
5-20 minutes (IV); metabolized by vasopressinases (aminopeptidases) in liver and kidney |
Receptor Selectivity Profile
| Receptor |
Binding Affinity (Kd) |
Primary Tissue/Location |
Signaling Pathway |
| V1a |
0.5-2 nM |
Vascular smooth muscle, liver, CNS |
Gq → PLC → Ca²⁺ |
| V1b (V3) |
1-3 nM |
Anterior pituitary (corticotrophs), CNS |
Gq → PLC → Ca²⁺ |
| V2 |
0.3-1 nM |
Kidney collecting duct, endothelium |
Gs → adenylyl cyclase → cAMP |
| Oxytocin Receptor |
50-500 nM (low affinity) |
Uterus, mammary, CNS |
Gq → PLC → Ca²⁺ |
Quality Control Parameters
| Test Method |
Acceptance Criteria |
| Appearance (visual) |
White to off-white powder; no aggregation or discoloration |
| Disulfide Bridge Confirmation |
ESI-MS shows intact cyclic structure; no reduced form detected |
| RP-HPLC (purity) |
Main peak ≥98.0%; no single impurity >0.5% |
| Biological Activity (USP) |
≥400 USP units/mg (rat pressor assay) |
| Amino Acid Analysis |
Confirmed sequence with Arg at position 8 |
Comparative Structural Analysis
| Position |
Oxytocin |
Vasopressin |
Functional Impact |
| 1 |
Cys |
Cys |
Disulfide bridge formation |
| 2 |
Tyr |
Tyr |
Receptor binding |
| 3 |
Ile |
Phe |
V1 receptor selectivity |
| 6 |
Cys |
Cys |
Disulfide bridge formation |
| 8 |
Leu |
Arg |
V2 receptor selectivity; antidiuretic activity |
| 9 |
Gly-NH₂ |
Gly-NH₂ |
Essential for all activity |
Disclaimer: This product is intended for research use only. Not for human or veterinary diagnostic or therapeutic use. Vasopressin is a potent vasoactive peptide; handle with appropriate laboratory protocols.