The renal actions of oxytocin in the conscious rat
Windle, R.J.; Forsling, M.L.
Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology An Official Journal of the Polish Physiological Society 42(4): 417-426
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0867-5910 PMID: 1824300 Document Number: 379710
The renal actions of oxytocin were studied in the conscious unrestrained rat infused with 0.077 M saline at a rate of 150 microliters/min. During the control period volume and sodium excretion reached stable equilibria, the rates being equal to those infused. Administration of oxytocin at 200 pmol/min produced plasma oxytocin levels of 26.0 +/- 2.1 pmol/l and caused a significant diuresis and natriuresis. Renal responses could also be seen with a lower dose of 30 pmol/min which produced plasma levels of 5.1 +/- 0.5 pmol/l while a dose of 15 pmol/min which produced no significant increase in the plasma oxytocin had no renal effect. It appears that oxytocin has a natriuretic action in concentrations within the physiological range.