We present hysteresis loops and magnetoresistance measurements on pseudo-spin-valve nanostructures embedded inside a gold conductor. The observations show a combination of anisotropic magnetoresistance and giant magnetoresistance effects, which are attributed to different scattering mechanisms. The relative orientation of magnetic layers of trilayer nanostructures results in interesting magnetoresistance curves, which offers potential use as magnetic field sensors. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.