Kinetics of Postpartum Mesenteric Artery Structure and Function Relative to Pregnancy and Lactation in Mice.

ABSTRACT: Epidemiological evidence suggests that normal pregnancy in women is associated with decreased cardiovascular risk in later life. Clinical studies have provided evidence that alterations in vascular function and structure are detectable long after delivery. To understand these findings, we examined mesenteric artery reactivity at both early (3 days and 2-4 weeks) and late (12 weeks) postpartum (PP) time points in relation to late pregnancy (LP) and lactation. Vessels from virgin controls, LP, PP, and nursing and non-nursing mothers were tested for responses to phenylephrine (PE), high potassium solutions (high K⁺), and acetylcholine (ACh). Passive arterial distensibility, vessel dimensions, and collagen and elastin content were evaluated for the studied groups. We observed that (

SUBMITTER: Gokina NI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7935827 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature