CHANGES IN RENAL KALLIKREIN ACTIVITY DURING PREGNANCY IN RATS
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Date
1982
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Abstract
Kallikrein activity in the kidney of rats was determined before insemination, on the 7th, 14th and 20th days of pregnancy and the 7th day after parturition. A significant decrease of renal kallikrein activity was found throughout pregnancy. After parturition it returns to the pre-gestation value. Expressed in ng of bradykinin equivalents the respective values of kallikrein activity were: before pregnancy, 609 .+-. 49; during pregnancy: 7th day, 415 .+-. 19; 14th day, 417 .+-. 45; 20th day, 386 .+-. 26; and 7th day after delivery, 630 .+-. 45. The significant increase in urinary kallikrein during gestation confirmed previous results. Renal kallikrein-kinin system evidently is involved in blood pressure regulation during pregnancy. [Implications for human hypertension during pregnancy are considered].