Uteroplacental renin in regulation of blood pressure in the pregnant rabbit

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Abstract
The role of uteroplacental fetal renin was studied in the regulation of maternal blood pressure and uterine and placental blood flow. To eliminate maternal renal renin, rabbits during the last week of pregnancy were nephrectomized. At 24 h later, in the unanesthetized rabbit, mean blood pressure, cardiac output, and uterine, placental and stomachal blood flow were measured during the administration of 5% dextrose, angiotensin antagonist (1-Sar-8-Thr-angiotensin II) and angiotensin antagonist plus converting enzyme inhibitor (SQ 20881 [teprotide]). During the infusion of angiotensin antagonist, blood pressure decreased from 79 .+-. 7 to 64 .+-. 7 mmHg (P < 0.01), uterine, placental and stomachal vascular resistance fell significantly, and cardiac output did not change. During the infusion of angiotensin antagonist, administration of the converting enzyme inhibitor produced no further decrease in blood pressure and no changes in the cardiac output; uterine and placental blood flow increased significantly, whereas stomach blood flow remained the same. Uteroplacental fetal renin apparently plays a role in the maintenance of normal blood pressure in the pregnant rabbit through the regulation of systemic vascular resistance. Either the renin-angiotensin or the kallikrein-kinin system participate in the local regulation of uteroplacental blood flow.

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