Osmoreceptor sensitivity, as estimated by the plasma vasopressin (AVP) response to hypertonic saline infusion, increases with age. We studied volume-pressure sensitivity, as estimated by the plasma AVP response to orthostasis, in healthy young (19-31 yr old; n = 12) and old (62-80 yr old; n = 15) subjects. After remaining recumbent overnight (minimum of 8 h), subjects stood quietly for 8 min. Cardiovascular changes on standing were not influenced by age. The peak plasma AVP response was greater in the young than in the old (P = 0.02, by rank sum test). When categorized as responders (peak AVP response, greater than or equal to 3 pg/ml) or nonresponders (peak response, less than 3 pg/ml), the young group included 11 responders and 1 nonresponder, while the old group included 8 responders and 7 nonresponders (P = 0.03, by Fisher exact test). There was no difference in the marked increase in plasma norepinephrine on standing between old responders (n = 6) and old nonresponders (n = 4). These studies indicate that failure to release AVP in response to orthostasis is more common in the elderly than in the young. The intact norepinephrine response to orthostatis in the elderly, regardless of the AVP response, suggests that the age-related defect is distal to the vasomotor center in the afferent limb of the baroreceptor reflex arc. Insensitivity to the volume and pressure changes accompanying hypertonic saline infusion may contribute to the previously noted augmented AVP response of the elderly to hyperosmolality.