Objective:The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth differentiation factor-15(GDF-15) level in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure(RUPP) rat model by using uterine placenta ischemia to induce gestational hypertension in rats. Methods:A total of 20 Spragu-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups with each group of 10 rats:the sham group and the RUPP group. The operation was taken on the 14th day after gestation. On the 13th and 19th day gestation,the blood pressure was measured. The blood was collected on the 19th day gestation for the GDF-15 test. Results:In the RUPP rats,both the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure increased significantly on the 19th day gestation compared with that on the 13th gestation[(157.8 ± 9.0)mmHg vs (118.3 ± 5.7)mmHg,(122.5 ± 6.9)mmHg vs (88.4 ± 8.0)mmHg,P < 0.05],and the sham group had no significant changes. Compared with the sham group on 19th days gestation, RUPP group rats were characterized by higher systolic pressure[(157.8 ± 9.0)mmHg vs (117.0 ± 9.4)mmHg;P < 0.05],higher diastolic pressure[(122.5 ± 6.9)mmHg vs (100.7 ± 4.4)mmHg;P < 0.05]. In the RUPP group,the GDF-15 level was significantly higher than that in the sham group[(363.3 ± 78.1)ng/L vs (276.7 ± 69.4)ng/L;P < 0.05]. Conclusion:GDF-15 level increased significantly in the gestation hypertension rats and is a potential cardiovascular prognostic maker for the gestation hypertension patients.