Evaluation of arterial blood pressure and renal sodium handling in a model of female rats in persistent estrus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the arterial blood pressure and renal function of female rats in persistent estrus. Twenty-five female Wistar-Hannover rats were randomly divided into two groups: Group I (control, n = 15) and experimental (persistent estrus, n = 10). A tail-cuff system was used to measure blood pressure at 12 weeks of life. Parameters to evaluate renal function were taken into consideration. A significant increase in arterial pressure and a significant decrease in fractional sodium excretion were found in the androgenized animals compared to controls. There was no difference between the two groups with respect to glomerular filtration rate or in fractional potassium excretion. An increase in blood pressure and a reduction in fractional sodium excretion occur in female rats in persistent estrus.