OBJECTIVE This study aimed at determining, in the term pregnant rat, whether maternal and fetal plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations were modified in response to an oral sodium load, and to investigate whether any changes in plasma concentrations were able to modify the density and affinity of the different ANP-binding site subtypes in maternal and fetal kidneys and adrenal gl...

1 The influence of thyroidectomy upon the adrenaline and noraddrenaline content of adrenal glands and plasma in mature female rats in pro-oestrus and in pregnant rats was studied. 2 Adrenal adrenaline and noradrenaline declined significantly after thyroidectomy in pro-oestrous and pregnant females but the effects were more marked in pregnant females. 3 Plasma adrenaline increased by 160% after ...

Activin A is a dimeric protein hormone that regulates numerous cellular functions. A clear physiological role for this molecule in pregnancy is suggested by previous studies in the human, wherein activin A rises dramatically as women approach parturition. To determine whether the rodent is a suitable animal model for further studies of activin action during pregnancy, the serum concentration of...

OBJECTIVE Lead is a common environmental contaminant. Lead accumulation in the body is especially dangerous for pregnant women and newborns. Selenium is a trace element which may rectify the damaging effects of lead. Here we tested potential protective effects of selenium against gestational lead exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pregnant SD rats were exposed to 200 mg/L of lead acetate (given ...

The baroreflex function curve is shifted to lower operating pressures, efferent sympathoexcitatory responses are attenuated, and sympathoinhibitory responses are potentiated in pregnant compared with virgin rats. It has been proposed that during pregnancy, elevated levels of 3 alpha-hydroxy-dihydroprogesterone (3 alpha-OH-DHP), a major metabolite of progesterone, may contribute to this differen...

We examined the pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital before and during pregnancy in rats. Animals were divided into four groups: (a) control, (b) pregnant, (c) phenobarbital-treated, and (d) phenobarbital-treated pregnant groups. The increase in body weight of nonpregnant or pregnant rats was not influenced by long-term phenobarbital treatment. Plasma phenobarbital concentrations during the period...