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Phenylephrine induces conducted constrictions in the uterine vasculature of the pregnant mouse in situ.
Author(s) -
Leonard Sean,
Junuzovic Jasna,
Croy B. Anne,
Murrant Coral L
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1144.4
Subject(s) - uterine artery , phenylephrine , fetus , blood vessel , endothelium , blood flow , artery , anatomy , circulatory system , chemistry , medicine , biology , endocrinology , blood pressure , gestation , pregnancy , genetics
Upon implantation, maternal‐ and fetal‐derived signals adapt the uterine vasculature to ensure adequate blood flow to the developing embryo. Conducted responses are important in matching blood flow to tissue metabolism, therefore they could represent a means by which fetal metabolism may influence maternal blood flow. To determine whether conducted responses exist in the uterine vasculature, we developed an in‐situ mouse model to measure blood vessel reactivity within this vasculature. The blood vessels were visualized by staining the endothelium with Isolectin Alexa‐Fluor 488 (0.067M). 10‐4M phenylephrine (PHE) was applied directly to the uterine artery (max diameter approx. 70 um). Vessel diameter was measured at the site of application and two downstream sites: the first >1000um downstream and the second 1000um further downstream from the site of application. Direct PHE application caused the uterine artery to constrict 31.4 +/− 4.9um (n = 9). Significant conducted constrictions to PHE were observed; 14.5 +/− 3.7um (n = 5) and 17.9 +/– 7.4um (n = 5) for the first and second downstream sites respectively. Direct application of PHE to the first and second downstream sites yielded constrictions of 45.1 +/− 11.7um and 40.3 +/− 12.6um respectively. These data show that conducted constrictions exist within this vasculature and suggest the possibility of fetal control of the maternal vasculature. NSERC and CIHR.