Effects of atrial natriuretic factor on isolated arteries and perfused organs of trout.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) increases blood pressure when injected into conscious trout [Duff and Olson, Am. J. Physiol. 251 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 20): R639-R642, 1986]. The effects and mechanisms of action of ANF on trout vessels in vitro were examined in the present study using isolated celiacomesenteric arterial rings, perfused gill arches, and a two-artery perfused trunk preparation. In all experiments, ANF alone either relaxed trout vessels or had no effect. ANF inhibited contractions of arterial rings produced by a variety of agonists in part through inhibition of intracellular calcium release. In perfused gills, ANF attenuated epinephrine (EPI) alpha-mediated vasoconstriction but had no effect on beta-stimulated increases in water permeability. ANF only slightly lowered an EPI-induced increase in resistance in either pathway of the perfused trunk. These results indicate that the vascular effects and mechanism of action of ANF are similar in fish and mammals and that the pressor response to ANF injection in vivo is mediated through central or secondary effects.