EFFECTS OF DEPRIVATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN PRECURSORS ON VASCULAR SENSITIVITY TO ANGIOTENSIN-II AND ON THE KIDNEY IN THE PREGNANT RABBIT

Pregnant rabbits were deprived of essential fatty acids from day ten of pregnancy, and results compared with a control group on a normal diet. At term, cannulation of jugular and carotid vessels was performed under anaesthesia, to study the vascular sensitivity to angiotensin II and basal blood pressure. Plasma renin levels, urinary electrolytes and protein were measured. Placental and renal tissue was examined histologically. Though no changes were found in tissues, blood or urine, a markedly significant increase in response to angiotensin II was found in the group deprived of essential fatty acids. This parallels the findings in vascular response in human pre‐eclampsia. 1979 British Pharmacological Society