The role of vasopressin in blood pressure control and in experimental hypertension.

1. The role of vasopressin in blood pressure control and in the pathogenesis of one-kidney Goldblatt hypertension in the conscious dog was investigated. 2. Infusion of synthetic arginine vasopressin to elevate plasma levels approximately five-fold caused bradycardia in normal dogs and increase in mean arterial blood pressure in dogs with pharmacological autonomic blockade. 3. A similar degree of elevation of plasma vasopressin concentration was observed after mild non-hypotensive haemorrhage. 4. Renal artery constriction in unilaterally-nephrectomized dogs caused a rise in plasma renin activity and only a doubling of plasma vasopressin concentration, but a marked rise in mean arterial blood pressure. 5. Vasopressin may play a role in normal cardiovascular homeostatic responses, but its role in the pathogenesis of this form of hypertension is unlikely to be significant.