Antenatal betamethasone has a sex-dependent effect on the in vivo response to endothelin in adult sheep.

ABSTRACT: Antenatal steroid administration is associated with multiple cardiometabolic alterations, including hypertension; however, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unclear. The aim of the present study was to ascertain, in vivo, the contribution of the endothelin system to the development of hypertension in the adult offspring and the signaling pathway involved. Pregnant sheep were treated with two doses of betamethasone (n = 23) or vehicle (n = 22) at 80 days (~0.55) gestation and allowed to deliver at term. Adult sheep were chronically instrumented under general anesthesia to place vascular catheters and a femoral artery flow probe. Blood pressure and flow were recorded continuously, and femoral artery vascular resistance was calculated before and during administration of endothelin

SUBMITTER: Lee JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3627955 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature