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Structural and Mechanical Changes of Uterine Arteries during Pregnancy in the Pig^1,2,

Iowa State University³, Ames 50011 and University of Iowa^,4, Iowa City 52240

Abstract

A dramatic 15-fold increase in uterine blood flow in pigs occurs during pregnancy in association with marked increases in uterine arterial (UA) diameter. This study was conducted to determine UA collagen and elastin content, diameter, ₁- and ₂-adrenergic receptor (AR) numbers, norepinephrine (NE) and in vitro reactivity to phenylephrine on d 0, 20, 50, 80 and 110 of pregnancy in the pig. Uterine arterial collagen content declined progressively throughout pregnancy (P < .01), whereas the content of elastin remained constant from d 0 to d 80, then increased (P < .05) from d 80 to d 110. The UA collagen to elastin ratio was correlated with UA diameter (r =–-.69;P < .01), which increased from 4.5 mm on d 0 to 9.0 mm on d 110. Uterine arterial ₁-AR numbers remained low and constant throughout pregnancy, consistent with its retained ability to contract in response to phenylephrine. Uterine arterial NE content declined (P < .05) from d 20 to d 80 before increasing slightly to d 110. Uterine arterial ₂-AR numbers remained high from d 0 to d 80 before decreasing (P < .05) to low values on d 110. These data are consistent with a reduced adrenergic neuronal control and increased elasticity of the UA during pregnancy in the pig.

¹ Journal Paper J-12579 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Sta., Ames. Proj. 1994, 2443 and 2444; supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grant HD06380.

² The authors thank Carole Hertz and Jeff Sauer for their technical expertise and Donna Johnston for typing this manuscript.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci.

⁴ Dept. of Obstet. and Gynecol.

⁵ Person to whom reprint requests should be addressed.

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