Observations on the pregnant rat injected with nephrotoxic rabbit anti-rat placenta serum and desoxycorticosterone...

1. Pregnancy enhances the susceptibility of the rat to intercurrent renal damage produced by anti-placenta serum. This is manifested by the development of renal hypertrophy and nephritis in a number of these animals. Both renal hypertrophy and nephritis are consistently intensified by the concomitant administration of DCA. 2. Hypertension develops in both pregnant and non-pregnant rats treated with the anti-placenta serum employed together with the daily administration of DCA. 3. Termination of pregnancy, in the face of continued DCA administration, fails to lower the blood pressure or to arrest the nephritic process.