Uterine activity in diabetes insipidus.

In two nonpregnant women with cranial diabetes insipidus, myometrial activity under different hormonal conditions was studied by intrauterine pressure recording. Recordings were performed when the women were under the influence of their regular treatment with desaminocys1-D-arg8-vasopressin (DDAVP), and when they had fully developed symptoms of their disease. Uterine activity was similar to that found in normal women under the same hormonal conditions, and generally did not change when symptoms of lack of vasopressin appeared. Both DDAVP (15-20 microgram), given intranasally, and lysin vasopressin (0.2 IU), given intravenously, stimulated uterine activity, particularly in late secretory menstrual phase. It is suggested that endogenous vasopressin is of minor importance for the induction of spontaneous uterine activity in nonpregnant women.