[Regulation of uterine blood flow. II. Functions of estrogen and estrogen receptor α/β in genomic and non-genomic actions of the uterine endothelium].

Pregnancy is marked by changes and cardiovascular adaptations that are important for the maintenance and growth of the placenta and fetus. During this period, the uterine vascular adaptations manifest changes that can be classified as short or long term and they related to adaptations for vasodilation, angiogenic or remodeling. Estrogen and the classical estrogen receptors (ERs), ER-α and ER-β, have been shown to be partially responsible for facilitating this dramatic increase in uterine blood flow needed during pregnancy. This literature review discusses the basis for structural diversity and functional selectivity of ERs by estrogen, the role of ERs on the genomic and non-genomic effects in endothelial cells of uterine arteries (UAEC). These themes integrate scientific knowledge about the molecular regulation of UAEC to maintain the physiological increase in uteroplacental perfusion observed during normal pregnancy.