Reversal of copper-induced inhibition of vasopressin responsiveness by reducing agents.

Copper inhibits the hydro-osmotic response to vasopressin in the urinary bladder of Bufo marinus at a site proximal to cyclic AMP production. This effect is not reversed by washing in Cu2+ -free Ringer's solution but is overcome by serosal addition of reducing agents, suggesting that vasopressin responsiveness in this tissue is modulated by either the redox potential or the sulfhydryl content of the serosal membrane.