Episodic secretion of renin.

ABSTRACT

Renin is secreted episodically in the absence of overt stimulation in the pentobarital-anesthetized, saline-loaded cat. Ninety min postlaparotomy, arterial and renal venous plasma renin concentrations (PRC) were determined at 15-min intervals for a 2 hr period. The pattern of renin secretion consisted of significant secretory peaks and periods in which little or no renin was secreted. In only a few instances could renin secretion be attributed to a preceding arterial blood pressure drop. The secretory episodes were also dissociated from flow.