Corin (an atrial natriuretic peptide converting enzyme) represents a potential biomarker for gestational hypertensive disorders; yet, its role in blood pressure regulation throughout pregnancy remains unclear. We investigated the time-course of change in blood corin content in relation to blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity throughout pregnancy. Forty-four women (29±0.9 yrs) participated. Following-term, 23 had 'low-risk' (no personal history of gestational hypertensive disorders) normal pregnancies, 13 had 'high-risk' (personal history of gestational hypertensive disorders) normal pregnancies, and eight developed gestational hypertension. Blood pressure, heart rate, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, and serum corin were measured prior-to pregnancy, during early-(4-8 wks) and late-pregnancy (32-36 wks), and post-partum (6-10 wks). Overall, compared to pre-pregnancy, corin remained unchanged during early-pregnancy, increased markedly during late-pregnancy (P<0.001), and returned to pre-pregnancy levels post-partum. In women who developed gestational hypertension, the change in corin from early-to late-pregnancy was greater than those with 'low-risk' normal pregnancies (Δ971±134 vs. Δ486±79 pg/mL; P<0.05). Throughout pregnancy, blood pressure and muscle sympathetic nerve activity were augmented in women with gestational hypertension (all P<0.05). Finally, changes in corin from early-to late-pregnancy were related to all indices of blood pressure (R=0.454-0.551; all P<0.01) in late-pregnancy, whereas burst frequency, burst incidence, and total muscle sympathetic nerve activity (R=0.576-0.614; all P<0.001) in early-pregnancy were related to changes in corin from early-to late-pregnancy. Corin plays a unique role in blood pressure regulation throughout

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