Objective: To evaluate the effects of desmopressin on pressure values inside the pelvis and ureter of the rat following acute obstruction.
Materials and methods: By means of a microsurgical technique, 24 male Wistar rats were submitted to ureteral obstruction; pressure inside the ureter was recorded using a cannula and a micrometric glass column. In the treatment group (14 animals) 6 mg/kg of desmopressin were administered 30 min before the beginning of the experiment.
Results: Rats pretreated with desmopressin showed a statistically significant reduction in mean intraureteral pressure following acute obstruction (p = 0.05).
Conclusions: In Wistar rats desmopressin demonstrated a powerful antidiuretic effect, reducing the intraureteral pressure. The experimental model is useful for a better understanding of physiopathology of renal colic and acute obstruction.