THE INVOLVEMENT OF VASOPRESSIN IN THE RENAL ACTIONS OF ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE IN CONSCIOUS FLUID-BALANCED RATS

The renal and endocrine actions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) administered at a rate to induce plasma concentrations within the physiological. range have been re-examined in conscious rats in which body fluid volume was maintained by infusion of replacement fluid at a rate to match spontaneous urine losses (servo-controlled replacement) throughout experimentation. The involvement of vasopressin in the actions of ANP was assessed by comparing the responses induced in Brattleboro (DI) and Long-Evans (LE) rats. A rate of ANP administration inducing a less than twofold increment in circulating ANP concentration evoked a small but significant diuresis and natriuresis. In contrast to previous studies during which body fluid balance had not been maintained and the response to ANP was transient, renal responses were rapid in onset and sustained over the period of hormone administration. The change in renal excretion occurred without concomitant changes in mean arterial blood pressure, haematocrit or glomerular filtration rate, and without consistent alterations in the circulating concentrations of angiotensin II, vasopressin, aldosterone or corticosterone. Furthermore, although small differences between the two strains in the character of the response could be demonstrated, the evoked response was of similar magnitude in vasopressin-replete and -deficient animals. In summary, in conscious rats in which body fluid volume was maintained, the profile of the diuretic and natriuretic responses evoked by low-rate ANP administration was different from that previously observed in anaesthetized and/or constantly infused preparations; being rapid in onset and sustained. The similarity in the renal effects observed following ANP administration in LE and DI rats in the present study suggests that vasopressin is not a prerequisite for the renal actions of ANP evoked by plasma concentrations within the physiological range.