ABSTRACT
The effects of a low-dose oxytocin infusion on blood pressure during late pregnancy and early puerperium are unclear, and its effects on the renin-aldosterone axis are unknown. The present investigation was performed in 24 pregnant subjects at term and in 14 women within five days after vaginal delivery, 10 and 7 of these subjects serving as controls (5% laevulose being infused without oxytocin). A slight but significant decrease of plasma renin activity was found during oxytocin infusion antepartum as well as postpartum. The decrease of aldosterone concentration in plasma was also significant during late pregnancy, but not during the puerperium. An increase of diastolic blood pressure was only observed antepartum. In summary, however, the changes of blood pressure, renin and aldosterone described in the perinatal period in normotensive subjects were small and without clinical importance.
Subject(s)
Aldosterone/blood , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Oxytocin/pharmacology , Postpartum Period/drug effects , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , Renin/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Infusions, Parenteral , Pregnancy , Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effectsABSTRACT
Lymphocyte preparations obtained from peripheral blood of 36 healthy pregnancy women during the last 4 weeks of gestation were tested for various cell surface markers (E-, EA- EAC-rosettes, surface Ig positive cells). 29 healthy, non-pregnant age matched women served as controls. The cell surface marker analysis did not show significantly different results in the two groups tested except diminished percentages of EA-rosettes in the pregnancy group. EA-rosettes-forming cells (Fc-receptor positive cells) are known to the effectors of spontaneous and antibody dependent lymphocytotoxicity. Therefore, slightly depressed lymphocytotoxicity may be expected during late pregnancy.
