Efferent limb of the atrial receptor reflex decrease in plasma renin activity in anaesthetized dogs

The efferent limb of the reflex response of a decrease in plasma renin activity in response to stimulation of atrial receptors was examined in two groups of experiments in anaesthetized dogs. The atrial receptors were discretely stimulated by distension of small balloons in the left pulmonary vein-atrial junction and in the atrial appendage. In the first group, in which the responses of tachycardia and natriuresis were blocked, the diuretic response was accompanied by decreases in plasma renin activity. This decrease was abolished in the second group by renal denervation. The results have shown that the efferent limb of the response of a decrease in plasma renin activity involved the renal nerves.