The effect of systemic infusions of dehydroisoandrosterone on the distribution of uterine blood flow in ovine pregnancy.

The effects of systemic infusions of dehydroisoandrosterone (6 mg.) on endogenous estrogen production and subsequent changes in regional blood flows and cardiac output were studied in six pregnant ewes at 105 to 128 days of gestation. Blood flows were measured with radionuclide-labeled microspheres. Plasma estrone concentrations increased from (mean +/- S.E.M.*) 27 +/- 2 to 117 +/- 13 pg. per mililiter, while estrodiol rose from 34 +/- 5 to 72 +/- 5 pg. per mililiter (p less than 0.05). Associated increases in blood flow occurred in endometrium, myometrium, and unimplanted uterine caruncles, while blood flow to the placental cotyledons was not significiantly changed. Perfusion was also increased in the Fallopian tubes, mammary gland, cervix, and vagina, the greatest fractional increase in blood flow occurring in the latter two, 387 and 456 per cent (p less than 0.005), respectively.