Maternal cardiovascular changes during pregnancy and postpartum in mice

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Abstract
Genetically altered mice may provide useful models for exploring cardiovascular regulation during pregnancy and postpartum if changes in mice mimic humans. We found in awake ICR (CD-1) mice at 17.5 days gestation that hematocrit was reduced 18%, and the pressor response to intravenous angiotensin II was reduced ∼33%. Arterial pressure in awake mice was 12% lower in early pregnancy (3.5 days) than late pregnancy (17.5 days) and postpartum (3 and 17 days after delivery), whereas heart rate was 10–20% higher in the peripartum period (17.5 days gestation and 3 days postpartum). In late pregnancy, cardiac output under isoflurane anesthesia was 64% higher than in nonpregnant mice, due to a 37% increase in stroke volume and a 17% increase in heart rate. All changes P < 0.05. We conclude that, as in humans, mice exhibit hypotension in early pregnancy, and a blunted pressor response to angiotensin II, a decrease in hematocrit, and a marked increase in cardiac output in late pregnancy.