US EPA

1099420 

Journal Article 

Maternal cardiovascular changes during pregnancy and postpartum in mice 

Wong, AYH; Kulandavelu, S; Whiteley, KJ; Qu, DW; Langille, BL; Adamson, SL 

2002 

Yes 

American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology
ISSN: 0363-6135
EISSN: 1522-1539 

282 

3 

H918-H925 

English 

11834487 

10.1152/ajpheart.00641.2001 

WOS:000173779300017 

Genetically altered mice may provide useful models for exploring cardiovascular regulation during pregnancy and postpartum if changes in mice mimic humans. We found in awake ICR (CD-1) mice at 17.5 days gestation that hematocrit was reduced 18%, and the pressor response to intravenous angiotensin II was reduced similar to33%. Arterial pressure in awake mice was 12% lower in early pregnancy (3.5 days) than late pregnancy (17.5 days) and postpartum (3 and 17 days after delivery), whereas heart rate was 10-20% higher in the peripartum period (17.5 days gestation and 3 days postpartum). In late pregnancy, cardiac output under isoflurane anesthesia was 64% higher than in nonpregnant mice, due to a 37% increase in stroke volume and a 17% increase in heart rate. All changes P < 0.05. We conclude that, as in humans, mice exhibit hypotension in early pregnancy, and a blunted pressor response to angiotensin II, a decrease in hematocrit, and a marked increase in cardiac output in late pregnancy.