TISSUE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEMS AND REPRODUCTION

The continued acquisition of information on the distribution of expres sion of components of the renin-angiotensin system shows that it has f unctions in the tissues that are quite unrelated to its systemic actio ns. In particular, both type 1 and type 2 angiotensin receptors are fo und in many tissues of the reproductive system of both sexes. In addit ion, the widespread occurrence of (pro)renin, angiotensin converting e nzyme and angiotensinogen suggests that the generation of angiotensin II within the tissues occurs at sites close to its sites of action. Th e data suggest that angiotensin II operates as an important paracrine agent with profoundly significant roles in several functions of the re productive system, and in fertility.