Effect of vasopressin on vascular smooth muscle from cold- and warm-acclimated rabbits.

Contractile properties of helical auricular arterial strips from warm- and cold-acclimated (WA and CA) rabbits were studied to determine whether vascular smooth muscle shows a cold-induced alteration in response to vasopressen (Vp), similar to the effect seen with catecholamines. The CA response was decreased at all Vp concentrations tested and the decreases were significant at doses between 0.4--100.0 mUnits Vp/ml. Results are discussed in relation to the altered renal tubular response to Vp which has previously been reported to occur in cold-acclimated animals.