Medroxyprogesterone acetate induces diabetes insipidus in Chinese hamsters

Injection of a synthetic progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA or Depo-ProveraR), a widely used contraceptive, into Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) induced a profound polyuria with daily output of dilute urine equal to about 50% body weight of the hamster. However, relatively normal ability for renal urine concentration was demonstrated by administration of exogenous vasopressin. Body weight did not increase during onset of MPA-induced polyuria or during interval of vasopressin-induced oliguria, suggesting that primary polydipsia was not etiologic. Administration of this steroid to Chinese hamsters was nontoxic, although these polyuric animals were unusually sensitive to water deprivation. This polyuria was not observed when progesterone alone was injected into Chinese hamsters or when MPA was given to other related hamster species (Armenian, Syrian, Turkish or Djzungarian). The MPA-injected Chinese hamster represents a unique model of vasopressin sensitive diabetes insipidus induced by a steroid in a species-specific fashion.