Abstract
To characterize the fetal response to change in blood pressure vasoactive mediators were measured during and after 60 min of sodium nitroprusside induced hypotension. Fetal arterial blood pressure was lowered by 10-20% in seven chronically catheterized fetal lambs (116-135 d). Fetal pHa (7.39±0.01), paCO2 (40.7±1.1 torr), PaO2 (22.1±0.9 torr), Osm (297.3±3 mosm/kg), and Na (144.5±1.4 meq/1 remained unchanged. Results (mean ±SEM, analyzed using ANOVA) on log plasma vasopressin (V), renin activity (PRA), epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) were:
These experiments demonstrate that the fetus responds promptly to a hypotensive stress by secreting vasoactive mediators. We speculate that vasopressin and renin play an important role in the maintenance of fetal blood pressure, catecholamines playing a secondary role.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zubrow, A., Daniel, S., Stark, R. et al. RESPONSE OF FETAL VASOACTIVE MEDIATORS TO INDUCED HYPOTENSION. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 180 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00523
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00523