EFFECT OF NICOTINE ON FETAL BREATHING MOVEMENTS IN CONSCIOUS PREGNANT EWES

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (5) , 563-568
Abstract
Nicotine (0.14-0.25 mg/kg), injected i.v. or intraarterially into conscious pregnant ewes, caused a decrease in fetal PaO2 [arteriale O2 partial pressure] within 5 min, persisting for up to 30 min. There was a significant fall in the incidence of fetal breathing movements. These changes did not occur if the ewe was treated with an .alpha.-blocking agent (phentolamine) or the nicotine was infused for 30 min at 0.27-0.85 mg/min. Nicotine crossed the placenta; fetal concentrations equaled those in the ewe 5 min after the injection and remained at or above maternal levels for 1 h. Nicotine given directly to the fetus (0.005-0.03 mg/kg estimated fetal wt) stimulated fetal breathing movements in a dose-related manner. The maternal injection of nicotine results in a fall of uterine blood flow by a sympathomimetic action, leading to transient fetal hypoxemia and a reduction in fetal breathing movements. A similar phenomenon may occur when a pregnant woman smokes cigarettes.

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