Hemodynamic effects of arginine vasopressin in conscious water-deprived rats.

By means of a specific antagonist [d(CH2)5AVP] of the vasoconstrictor activity of arginine vasopressin (AVP), we studied whether the vasoconstrictor effect of AVP contributed to the blood pressure control during water deprivation in conscious rats. After 24 h of dehydration plasma AVP rose from 3.5 +/- 0.5 to 11.2 +/- 2.0 fmol/ml. Intravenous injection of 5 micrograms/kg d(CH2)5AVP reduced total peripheral resistance. Since cardiac output rose simultaneously, mean arterial blood pressure remained unchanged. In rats with sinoaortic deafferentation (SAD) 4 wk before water deprivation, d(CH2)5AVP caused a reduction of total peripheral resistance and of mean arterial pressure, whereas cardiac output remained unchanged. Consequently, mean arterial pressure fell. No hemodynamic changes were observed in hydrated control rats with and without SAD. It is concluded that the vasoconstrictor activity of AVP plays an important role in maintaining blood pressure during water deprivation in conscious rats. After AVP blockade, arterial pressure fell only in SAD rats as intact rats maintain arterial pressure via acute increase cardiac output.