The effect of various vasoactive compounds upon the uterine vascular bed

The effects of various vasodilators on the uterine vascular bed were investigated in nonpregnant, oophorectomized sheep with chronically implanted flow probes and catheters inserted into branches of the uterine arteries. A 1 mug dose of estradiol-17beta (0.224 muM) produces a maximum uterine blood flow response after intra-arterial injection. Adenosine (24 muM) and bradykinin (0.02 muM) were observed to increase blood flow to levels achieved by 1 mug of estradiol-17beta. Acetylcholine, isoproterenol, and histamine were less potent in their vasodilator activity. Atropine, propanolol, and diphenhydramine did not inhibit the increase of uterine blood flow induced by estrogens.