title: Uterine vascular response to prostacyclin in nonpregnant sheep.
abstract: Two effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) on uterine blood flow were investigated in nonpregnant, castrated ewes with chronically implanted polyvinyl catheters and electromagnetic flow probes. Intra-arterial infusion of PGI2 resulted immediately in increased uterine blood flow, which returned rapidly to baseline after termination of the infusion. A dose-response curve was constructed and demonstrated that a uterine arterial PGI2 concentration of 1.2 times 10(-6)M (0.5 microgram/ml) produced flows 50% of those achieved by a reference dose of 1 microgram of 17 beta-estradiol. Increases in uterine blood flow were not associated with changes in mean systemic arterial pressure. These findings demonstrate that PGI2 has a vasodilatory effect on the uterine circulation and suggest that this substance has a role in the regulation of uterine blood flow.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D012756:Sheep; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
chemical_list: D011453:Prostaglandins; D004958:Estradiol; D011464:Epoprostenol