Mechanisms of increased renal plasma flow in pregnancy

Working model of vascular and renal effects of relaxin in pregnancy.

hCG: human chorionic gonadotropin; MMP: matrix metalloproteinase; ET: endothelin; NO: nitric oxide; GFR: glomerular filtration rate; RPF: renal plasma flow.

Adapted from: Conrad KP. Maternal vasodilation in pregnancy: The emerging role of relaxin. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2011; 301:R267.