Influence of brain angiotensin on thermoregulation and hydromineral balance during pregnancy in rats

Abstract

During mammalian pregnancy, body temperature decreases and there are changes in fluid and electrolyte balance. Angiotensin signaling mechanisms in the brain have been shown to influence thermoregulation and body fluid balance in the nonpregnant state. We hypothesized that brain angiotensin is also implicated in adjusting these physiological systems in the pregnant rat. We compared core temperature and fluid regulation in three groups of pregnant rats: untreated rats, rats receiving continuous infusion of an AT1 antagonist candesartan (5 μg·kg-1·day-1) into a lateral cerebral ventricle to block brain AT1 receptors, and rats receiving vehicle [artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF)] vehicle. Un..