Maturation-related changes in dopamine-induced relaxation of isolated rabbit pulmonary artery

Studies were performed on isolated pulmonary arterial segments to investigate dopamine receptor-mediated relaxant effects at different times during development. Dopamine receptor-mediated relaxant effects can only be observed when vessels are precontracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha and in the presence of alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and serotonergic blockade. Helical strips of pulmonary arteries from rabbits of different ages (2, 7, 14, 30, and 90 days), partially precontracted by prostaglandin F2 alpha were tested for their responses to dopamine in the presence of prazosin (10(-6) M), yohimbine (10(-6) M), propranolol (10(-6) M), and methysergide (10(-6) M). Strips from 2- and 7-day-old rabbits were not induced to relax by dopamine, whereas those from 14-, 30-, and 90-day-old animals, after cumulative application of dopamine, underwent concentration-dependent relaxation. Dopamine (half the maximum response) concentration decreased during the development of rabbits from 14 to 90 days old. Mean values for apparent dopamine ED50 (half the maximum response) concentrations in the arteries of 14-, 30-, and 90-day old animals were 4.94 +/- 0.40, 2.02 +/- 0.30, and 0.113 +/- 0.028 microM, respectively. The effects of various dopamine antagonists on dopamine-induced relaxation were not markedly different at different ages. These findings indicate that dopamine receptor function is not fully developed in the pulmonary arteries of newborn rabbits, but matures as the age of the rabbit increases.