INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF MATERNAL AND FETAL CIRCULATIONS

Abstract

Epinephrine and norepinephrine injected intravenously into pregnant ewes produced a prompt increase in maternal arterial pressure but a significant and sustained decrease in uterine arterial blood flow. Angiotensin injected intravenously into pregnant ewes produced a prompt increase in maternal arterial pressure (similar to epinephrine and norepinephrine) and an increase in uterine arterial blood flow. In the doses used, epinephrine, norepinephrine and angiotensin injected intravenously into pregnant ewes produced no significant observable effects on the arterial pressure and blood flow in the umbilical cord on heart rate in the fetus. Epinephrine and norepinephrine injected in the umbilical vein of lambs in utero produced a prompt and significant rise in umbilical arterial pressure and umbilical arterial flow only when large doses (five times effective adult doses/kg body weight) were used. Effective adult doses (kg body weight) injected into lambs in utero produced no significant change in arterial pressure or blood flow in the fetus. Angiotensin injected intravenously into lambs in utero produced no significant change in arterial pressure or blood flow in the umbilical cord. Vasoactive drugs injected into the mother on into the fetus did not appear to cross the placenta in either direction in physiologically effective amounts.