The effect of norepinephrine on blood flow through the fetal liver and ductus venosus.
Experiments were conducted with 11 chronically catheterized fetal sheep to determine the effects of norepinephrine on the distribution of umbilical venous blood through the ductus venosus, and within the fetal liver. An intraumbilical infusion of 1.1 microgram/kg/min of norepinephrine increased placental blood flow but did not alter the proportion of this flow that was diverted through the ductus venosus. Under control conditions the umbilical flow to the fetal liver was preferentially distributed to the left side and accounted for 80% of the total hepatic blood flow. Flow through the hepatic artery was negligible. Norepinephrine reduced portal flow but also reduced the asymmetric distribution of hepatic umbilical blood flow by greatly increasing the perfusion of the right side of the fetal liver.
D000818:Animals; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008863:Microspheres; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000187:drug effects; D014680:Veins / Q000187:drug effects
D009638:Norepinephrine