Premium
Increased Myogenic Reactivity and Decreased Vasodilation of Resistance Caliber Uterine Arteries from Pregnant Rats with Periodic Reductions in Uterine Perfusion Pressure
Author(s) -
Reho John J,
Toot Jonathan D,
Peck Jennifer,
Novak Jacqueline,
Ramirez Rolando J
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.872.31
Subject(s) - vasodilation , medicine , methacholine , perfusion , vascular resistance , endocrinology , uterine artery , arteriole , mesenteric arteries , vasoconstriction , circulatory system , anatomy , artery , cardiology , blood pressure , gestation , biology , pregnancy , lung , respiratory disease , genetics
We have recently demonstrated that periodic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure in pregnant rats results in maternal hypertension and a constrictive phenotype of resistance‐sized mesenteric arteries. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of periodic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure on uterine artery myogenic reactivity and vasodilation. An aortic occluder was implanted on Day 14 of gestation. The occluder allows uterine perfusion pressure to be reduced by 40% for 1hr a day for 5 consecutive days. Animals were terminated on gestational Day 21 and resistance‐sized uterine arteries were mounted on a pressurized arteriograph where myogenic reactivity and agonist (methacholine) vasodilation were assessed and compared to responses of arteries from SHAM‐operated controls. Myogenic reactivity was increased in resistance‐sized uterine arteries from Occluder animals compared to SHAM (p<0.05). Methacholine dilation of resistance‐sized uterine arteries was reduced in Occluder rats compared to SHAM (p<0.05). These data suggest that Occluder animal uterine artery vasoreactivity is altered toward a more contractile phenotype than SHAM and may play a role in the pathology associated with the model. We speculate that similar changes may have relevance in the pathology of preeclampsia.