Gender influences the in vitro renin release responses to dopamine and adrenergic receptor blockade in the summer-active ground squirrel Spermophilus lateralis.

1. 10(-4) M Dopamine stimulated and 10(-7) M inhibited in vitro resting renin release (RR) only in the female animals. 2. Alpha- or beta-adrenergic blockade prevented the stimulation but not the inhibition of RR by dopamine in the female animals. 3. Membrane receptor mechanisms mediating these changes do not involve alterations in tissue cyclic AMP content. 4. The sensitivity of the juxtaglomerular cells to dopamine challenge is gender dependent during summer activity.