Any physiological role for prostacyclin in regulation of fetal vessel tone?

Abstract

This study investigates the contribution of endogenous prostacyclin and nitric oxide (NO) for maintenance of umbilical artery tone in vitro. Treatment with indomethacin as well as removal of the endothelium was followed by contractions of umbilical arteries and a reduced formation of prostacyclin. In contrast, vessel tone was not affected by inhibition of NO synthesis, using nitro-L-arginine. Thus, prostacyclin rather than nitric oxide appears to be the endogenous endothelium-derived factor in the umbilical circulation that is involved in regulation of vessel tone.