Increased Pressor Response to Angiotensin II after Stricture of the Abdominal Aorta in Pregnant Rabbits

Abstract

The abdominal aorta of 7 pregnant rabbits was treated below the renal arteries on the 21st day of pregnancy, producing a stricture which reduced the lumen to 2.0 mm in diameter. The pressor response to angiotensin II was assessed by measuring the systolic blood pressure of the ear using a Grant-Rothschild capsule. After stricture of the abdominal aorta, the systolic blood pressure in pregnant rabbits was not statistically different from that of sham operated rabbits. However, a significant increase in vascular reactivity to infused angiotensin II was demonstrated during the remaining gestational period.

These findings suggest that interference with the blood supply of the pregnant uterus is an important factor in determining the vascular reactivity to angiotensin II in pregnant rabbits