Effects of pregnancy on cardiac function and myosin enzymology in the rat

Previous studies of cardiac function during pregnancy, while suggesting that this condition is associated with improved myocardial contractility, have been biased by the altered in vivo loading conditions. Therefore, we have investigated intrinsic cardiac function and contractile protein biochemistry during pregnancy in isolated rat hearts under controlled loading conditions. Animals were impregnated and studied after 1 and 3 wk and 2-3 days postpartum (gestation 21 days). The data show that hearts from pregnant animals (at 3 wk) had improved contractile performance as manifested by an 11% increase in fractional shortening, a 20% increase in velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, and an upward-shifted force-velocity relationship. These findings were paralleled by a 16% increase in Ca2+-activated myosin and an 11% increase in actin-activated ATPase activities. Thus pregnancy in the rat is associated with slightly improved cardiac contractility and biochemistry. This may relate directly to the hormonal status of the pregnant animal or to the effects of chronic volume overload.