Plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine concentrations in maternal and fetal sheep during spontaneous parturition and in premature sheep during cortisol-induced parturition.
The plasma catecholamine response to parturition was studied in two groups of chronically catheterized fetal sheep. Group I consisted of full term pregnancies with a mean gestation of 147 days at delivery. Group II was comprised of fetal sheep infused with cortisol to induce premature delivery at a mean gestational age of 135 days. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured in group I mothers and fetuses and group II fetuses by radioenzymatic assay using 50 microliter samples. Uterine contractions began 4--14 h before delivery in both groups. Significant increases in fetal plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations occurred within 3 h of delivery in both groups. Group I plasma epinephrine (E) and group I and II plasma dopamine levels were significantly increased within 1 h of delivery. Only plasma E levels differed in group I and II fetuses; there was no significant rise in plasma E concentrations in cortisol-infused (group II) fetuses. Maternal plasma NE and E concentrations were increased 2--3 h before delivery in group I animals. Maternal plasma dopamine concentrations were only elevated 30 min before delivery when plasma NE and E levels were highest.
D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000097:blood*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D005865:Gestational Age; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep
D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine