AT1 receptor block does not affect arterial baroreflex during pregnancy in rabbits

The role of ANG II in the arterial baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in eight term-pregnant (P) and eight nonpregnant (NP) conscious rabbits was assessed using sequential intracerebroventricular and intravenous infusions of losartan, an AT(1) receptor antagonist. The blood pressure (BP)-RSNA relationship was generated by sequential inflations of aortic and vena caval perivascular occluders. Pregnant rabbits exhibited a lower maximal RSNA reflex gain (-44%) that was primarily due to a reduction in the maximal sympathetic response to hypotension (P, 248 +/- 20% vs. NP, 357 +/- 41% of rest RSNA, P < 0.05). Intracerebroventricular losartan decreased resting BP in P (by 9 +/- 3 mmHg, P < 0.05) but not NP rabbits, and had no effect on the RSNA baroreflex in either group. Subsequent intravenous losartan decreased resting BP in NP and further decreased BP in P rabbits, but had no significant effect on the maximal RSNA reflex gain. ANG II may have an enhanced role in the tonic support of BP in pregnancy, but does not mediate the gestational depression in the arterial baroreflex control of RSNA in rabbits.