Effect of Parasympathetic and β-Adrenergic Blockade on the Umbilical Circulation in the Unanesthetized Fetal Sheep

Abstract
Parasympathetic and Β-adrenergic blocking agents were administered to near term chronically instrumented sheep. Parasympathetic blockade resulted in a significant increase in fetal heart rate and fetal arterial blood pressure, with a minimal nonsignificant increase in umbilical blood flow. Β-Adrenergic blockade resulted in a decrease in fetal heart rate and umbilical blood flow, though neither was statistically significant. There was no change in arterial blood pressure. The net result of parasympathetic and Β-adrenergic blockade on fetal heart rate suggests that the intrinsic rate is the same as when these influences are present.

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