Vascular resistance is decreased in the luteal rat ovary by a 20 minute continuous infusion of noradrenaline

Abstract

The effect of a 20 min continuous infusion of noradrenaline (2 nanomoles/min) on the blood flow and vascular resistance of 2-, 6- and 11-day-old corpora lutea from adult pseudopregnant rats was studied. Pseudopregnancy was induced by mating with vasectomized male rats. The blood flow of the corpus luteum and the remaining ovary was measured with the microsphere technique. The basal blood flow varied between the luteal ages studied and was highest at day 6 of pseudopregnancy. Noradrenaline induced a two-fold increase in the blood flow of the corpus luteum at the luteal ages studied. The vascular resistance (blood pressure/blood flow) decreased for all luteal ages, while the vascular resistance for kidney, spleen and diaphragm was unchanged. Antidiuretic hormone was found to markedly decrease the luteal blood flow and the vascular resistance remained increased. The effect of noradrenaline infusion on the luteal blood flow thus in contrast to other vasoactive substances is biphasic, with an initial vasoconstriction followed by vasodilatation.