Abstract
We have shown that umbilical venous (UV) blood and O2 delivered through the ductus venosus (DV) is preferentially distributed to the heart and brain. This phenomenon is enhanced during hypoxia while umbilical venous return (UVR) is maintained. We have now examined the effects of reducing UVR by hemorrhage (22.6±1.9% of fetal blood volume) in 8 chronically catheterized fetal lambs (122-128 d gestation). UVR and its distribution was measured by the microsphere method and O2 delivery was calculated from DV derived blood flow and UV O2 content. The following data were obtained:
In addition, UV derived blood flow and O2 delivery to the brain, heart, placenta, and kidneys were maintained despite the observed changes in UVR and O2 delivery, but that to the liver, carcass, lungs, and gut decreased following H. We conclude that fetal adjustment to H is accomplished by increasing the amount of UVR and O2 that bypassed the liver through the DV. The DV blood flow is further redistributed to maintain UV derived blood flow and O2 delivery to vital organs at the expense of other organs.
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Itskovitz, J., Goetzman, B. & Rudolph, A. 252A EFFECTS OF HEMORRHAGE (H) ON DISTRIBUTION OF UMBILICAL A VENOUS RETURN (UVR) AND O2 DELIVERY IN FETAL LAMBS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 482 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00263
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00263