Biomaterial Database

Maternal and fetal cardiovascular effects of nicotine infusion in pregnant sheep. 1983

A G Monheit, and H VanVunakis, and T C Key, and R Resnik

The effects of nicotine on uterine and umbilical hemodynamics were studied in seven pregnant ewes equipped with electromagnetic flow probes around the main uterine and common umbilical arteries, and with polyvinyl catheters inserted into the fetal aorta and maternal femoral vessels. Maternal systemic infusions of 1.0 to 1.5 mg/min significantly decreased uterine blood flow by 42% (p less than 0.001) and 32% (p less than 0.05), respectively. However, nicotine infusion rates of 0.5 mg/min, resulting in mean peak maternal nicotine concentrations of 130 +/- 5.0 ng/ml (SE), a value substantially higher than that reported in smoking humans, did not significantly alter uterine or umbilical vascular hemodynamics. Furthermore, at this lower nicotine dose, no alterations were observed in maternal or fetal plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine. The findings suggest either a species difference between sheep and humans in the threshold of catecholamine release to nicotine exposure or the need for repetitive nicotine infusions throughout the day to stimulate the human smoking experience.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009538	Nicotine	Nicotine is highly toxic alkaloid. It is the prototypical agonist at nicotinic cholinergic receptors where it dramatically stimulates neurons and ultimately blocks synaptic transmission. Nicotine is also important medically because of its presence in tobacco smoke.	Nicotine Bitartrate,Nicotine Tartrate
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D001783	Blood Flow Velocity	A value equal to the total volume flow divided by the cross-sectional area of the vascular bed.	Blood Flow Velocities,Flow Velocities, Blood,Flow Velocity, Blood,Velocities, Blood Flow,Velocity, Blood Flow
D002395	Catecholamines	A general class of ortho-dihydroxyphenylalkylamines derived from TYROSINE.	Catecholamine,Sympathin,Sympathins
D005260	Female		Females
D006439	Hemodynamics	The movement and the forces involved in the movement of the blood through the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.	Hemodynamic
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012756	Sheep	Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS.	Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D012907	Smoking	Willful or deliberate act of inhaling and exhaling SMOKE from burning substances or agents held by hand.	Smoking Behaviors,Smoking Habit,Behavior, Smoking,Behaviors, Smoking,Habit, Smoking,Habits, Smoking,Smoking Behavior,Smoking Habits