Assessment of changes in intrarenal blood flow in conscious rats usin laser-Doppler flowmetry

The employment of laser-Doppler flow (LDF) to allow long-term measurement of blood flow in conscious rats was assessed. Fiber-optic probes were surgically implanted in nine Sprague-Dawley rats. Cortical blood flow (CBF) and medullary blood flow (MBF) were monitored for 11 days using LDF signals. Angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced reactions were also observed. Damage to tissues, changes in urine concentrating capacity and renal activity were very low. This attested to the viability of LDF as CBF and MBF monitor in conscious rats over a prolonged periods.