Hemodynamic Interactions of Atrial Natriuretic Factor with the Sympathetic Nervous System in Sheep

The hemodynamic effects of short-term infusion of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) were observed in sheep with combined alpha/beta adrenoceptor pharmacological blockade. The effect of ANF on the sympathetically-mediated baroreflex system was observed in conscious sheep in which aortic and vena caval balloon occluders had been surgically implanted. ANF infused at 100 micrograms/h for 60 min produced similar effects on blood pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume during alpha/beta-adrenoceptor blockade, compared to the responses seen in normal sheep, however the increases in heart rate and total peripheral resistance were reduced. ANF markedly enhanced the gain of the baroreceptor-heart rate reflex in the sheep. This effect may mediate the large increase in heart rate which is associated with a small fall in blood pressure during short-term infusion of ANF. In conclusion, the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in regulating the reflex cardiovascular responses to short-term infusion of ANF in sheep. The large species variation in the hemodynamic responses to ANF may be related to differing degrees of stimulation or inhibition of the baroreceptor system to affect heart rate and/or peripheral resistance.