The hypothesis that pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is associated with abnormal physiological control of plasma renin activity (PRA) was tested by studying the effects of graded infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II) on PRA, plasma aldosterone (PA), and blood pressure in normal pregnancy, PIH, non-pregnant women in luteal and follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, and males. PIH occurring in the second trimester was associated with elevated PRA, PA and blood pressure compared with all other groups, and reduced urinary thromboxane excretion compared with normal pregnancy. Exogenous ANG II infusion failed to suppress existing PRA in patients with PIH, in contrast to all other groups, but increased PA in all groups. It is concluded that PIH occurring in the second trimester is associated with elevated PRA, PA and blood pressure. The inability of circulating ANG II to reduce PRA in PIH may constitute a major alteration underlying the pathophysiology of PIH.