Angiotensin-(1-7) in the ovine fetus

Abstract

In the adult animal, ANG-(1-7) may counterbalance some effects of ANG II. Its effects in the fetus are unknown. Basal ANG-(1-7), ANG I, ANG II, and renin concentrations were measured in plasma from ovine fetuses and their mothers (n = 10) at 111 days of gestation. In the fetus, concentrations of ANG I, ANG-(1-7), and ANG II were 86 ± 21, 13 ± 2, and 14 ± 2 fmol/ml, respectively. In the ewe, concentrations of ANG I were significantly lower (20 ± 4 fmol/ml, P < 0.05) as were concentrations of ANG-(1-7) (2.9 ± 0.6 fmol/ml), whereas ANG II concentrations were not different (10 ± 1 fmol/ml). Plasma renin concentrations were higher in the fetus (4.8 ± 1.1 pmol ANG I·ml-1·h-1) than in the ewe (0.9 ..