EFFECT OF VARIOUS VASOACTIVE COMPOUNDS UPON UTERINE VASCULAR BED

The effects of various vasodilators on the uterine vascular bed were investigated in nonpregnant, oophorectomized sheep with chronically implanted flow probes and catheters inserted into branches of the uterine arteries. A 1 .mu.g dose of estradiol-17.beta. (0.224 .mu.M) produces a maximum uterine blood flow response after intra-arterial injection. Adenosine (24 .mu.M) and bradykinin (0.02 .mu.M) increase blood flow to levels achieved by 1 .mu.g of estradiol-17.beta.. Acetylcholine, isoproterenol and histamine were less potent in their vasodilator activity. Atropine, propanolol and diphenhydramine did not inhibit the increase of uterine blood flow induced by estrogens.