Effect of 1-deamino-6-carba- (8-arginine)- vasopressin on organ blood flow in the female guinea pig.

An analogue of (8-arginine)-vasopressin, characterized by removal of the Nalpha-amino group and replacement of the disulphide bridge with a thioether bridge (dCAVP), was found to increase blood flow to the brain, kidneys and adrenal glands of female guinea pigs whilst decreasing perfusion of the skin and skeletal muscle. An increase was noted in the proportion of 15 micrometer microspheres trapped in the spleen, probably contingent upon reduced arteriole-venous shunting. These responses were obtained both at estrus and during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. In contrast, uterine and vaginal blood flows showed a significant reduction only during the luteal phase.