Effects of epinephrine on distribution of blood flow in the pregnant ewe

C. R. Rosenfeld, M. D. Barton, G. Meschia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Scopus citations

Abstract

Seven pregnant ewes ranging from 85 to 140 days of gestation were infused with systemic doses of epinephrine and uterine arterial flow dose response curves were determined. With a constant systemic infusion of epinephrine at a mean rate of 0.29 ± 0.03 μg/Kg. min, and the radionuclide labeled microsphere method to measure arterial blood flow, a 38.5% decrease in total uterine arterial blood flow was demonstrated while systemic pressure was unaltered. At this dose the reduction in endometrial blood flow was significantly greater (-58.7%) than that in either the myometrium (-36.9%) or placental cotyledons (-34.5%) (p<0.025 and <0.005, respectively). There also occurred a decrease in blood flow to the mammary gland and the pancreas, whereas increases in blood flow to the skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and spleen were documented. It is evident from this study that during the period of ovine pregnancy investigated, the vascular beds of all tissues comprising the pregnant uterus, including the placental cotyledons, are sensitive to the vasoconstrictive effects of epinephrine.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)156-163
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Volume124
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1976

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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