The role of brain angiotensin II (ANG II) in mediating cardiovascular, vasopressin, and renin responses to hemorrhage was assessed in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar rats. Intracerebroventricular administration of losartan (10 micrograms) and saralasin (1 microgram.microliter-1.min-1) produced a markedly greater fall in blood pressure and a reduced tachycardia during and after hemorrhage (15 ml/kg) compared with the artificial cerebrospinal fluid control in SHR and Wistar rats but not in WKY rats. Vasopressin release after hemorrhage was also impaired, but renin release was enhanced by intracerebroventricular ANG II antagonists in SHR and Wistar rats but not in WKY rats. Losartan and saralasin produced remarkably similar effects on the cardiovascular, vasopressin, and renin responses to hemorrhage. These data suggest that brain ANG II acting through AT1 receptors plays an important physiological role in mediating rapid cardiovascular regulation and vasopressin release in response to hemorrhage. The relative importance of brain angiotensin system may vary in different strains of rate.