Blood pressure development in F2 rats derived from SHR and WKY progenitors.

In adult humans blood pressure measurements taken at one point in time are significantly correlated with subsequent measurements. However, during development, 'tracking' of blood pressures is relatively poor thus, accurate prediction of hypertension can only be made much later in life. To find better early life predictors of adult hypertension, studies using the F2 generation of rats derived from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) grandparents have been initiated. Characteristics of blood pressure development in the F2 population suggest they will be a suitable model for this goal. F2s express a wide range of adult blood pressures but, as is the case in humans, stability of individual ranking within the population, is not present until after puberty. Other results indicate that adult body weight, heart rate, and temperature are not genetically linked to SHR hypertension, and that measurement of these variables early in life, with the possible exception of body weight early in life, can not be used to predict adult hypertension.