Increased Na+ intake during gestation in rats is associated with enhanced vascular reactivity and alterations of K+ and Ca2+ function.

Gestation is associated with decreased blood pressure and resistance to the effects of vasoconstrictor agents. A recent study showed that pregnant rats, on increased sodium intake, present physiological changes that resemble those observed in preeclampsia. We investigated the effects of sodium supplementation on reactivity and on potassium and Ca(2+) channel activity in blood vessels during gestation.

High-sodium intake prevents pregnancy-induced decrease of blood pressure in the rat.

Despite an increase of circulatory volume and of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activity, pregnancy is paradoxically accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure. We have reported that the decrease in blood pressure was maintained in pregnant rats despite overactivation of RAAS following reduction in sodium intake. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the opposite condition, e.