Abstract
Objectives: To examine the serial changes in circulating endothelin concentration as primate pregnancy advances. To compare peripheral venus and uterine circulations in normal pregnancy and to determine the usefulness of an experimental preeclampsia-like syndrome in examining the placental contribution to total endothelin concentration.Design: Serial measurements of arterial, venous, and uteroplacental endothelin concentration were performed monthly in baboon pregnancy. Endothelin was also measured after reduction in placental blood flow by limited uterine artery ligation and in a sham-operated control.Methods: Ten baboon pregnancies were examined prospectively. Plasma for endothelin concentration was collected from maternal systemic sources and the uteroplacental bed. Endothelin concentration was determined in two operated and a sham-operated controls after reduction of uteroplacental blood flow by angiographically directed selective ligation of a branch of the uterine artery. Signs of a preeclampsia-like syndrome were also examined in these animals.Results: Endothelin concentration progressively decreased as normal pregnancy advanced, with the lowest concentration recorded prior to delivery. After uterine artery ligation, an animal with signs of a severe preeclampsia-like syndrome demonstrated a rise in arterial endothelin concentration at the time of delivery. This did not appear to arise from the uteroplacental circulation.Conclusions: Elevated endothelin concentrations in human preeclampsia, a late pregnancy event, should be interpreted in light of decreased concentrations at this time in normal primate pregnancy. Endothelin may be a marker of disease severity in human preeclampsia.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.