Factors that alter the plasma renin activity of the marmot

The effects of low doses of norepinephrine (NE) and furosemide and a volume load (nonhibernators only) on plasma renin activity (PRA), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), left renal (RBF) and right iliac (IBF) blood flow, cardiac index (CI), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were determined in euthermic and hibernating marmots. In nonhibernating marmots NE produced an increase in CI and TPR and a decrease in RBF. In hibernators this dose of NE caused an increase in MAP, HR, and renal resistance, whereas it decreased PRA and did not alter iliac resistance. Furosemide infusions led to an increase in PRA in both groups and an increase in TPR in nonhibernators. The volume load in nonhibernators produced only a decrease in PRA. A comparison of control data from the two groups indicated that the renal and iliac beds contribute only a small portion to the increase in TPR that occurs during hibernation.