Vasodilator effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on fetal pulmonary circulation: An experimental study in pregnant sheep

Fig 1. Change in fetal heart rate, FHR (A), pulmonary artery pressure, PAP (B), left pulmonary artery blood flow, LPA flow (C) and pulmonary vascular resistance, PVR (D) in response to bolus of 6 mg DHEA compared to bolus of control solution 2%. Values are means ±SEMs, n = 5, (DHEA 6 mg) and n = 5, (control 2%).

Fig 2. Change in fetal heart rate, FHR (A), pulmonary artery pressure, PAP (B), left pulmonary artery blood flow, LPA flow (C) and pulmonary vascular resistance, PVR (D) in response to bolus of 12 mg DHEA compared to bolus of control solution 2%. Values are means ±SEMs, n = 5, (DHEA 12 mg) and n = 5, (control 2%). *p<0.05 significant difference of FHR comparing baseline vs. 12 mg DHEA bolus and ***p<0.001 comparing baseline vs. 12 mg- DHEA bolus (one-way ANOVA) and comparing 12 mg- DHEA bolus vs. control 2% (Two-way ANOVA).

Fig 3. Change in fetal heart rate, FHR (A), pulmonary artery pressure, PAP (B), left pulmonary artery blood flow, LPA flow (C) and pulmonary vascular resistance, PVR (D) in response to bolus of 24 mg DHEA compared to bolus of control solution 4%. Values are means ±SEMs, n = 5, (DHEA 24 mg) and n = 4, (control 4%). *p<0.05 significant difference of FHR comparing baseline vs. 24 mg DHEA bolus ***p<0.001 comparing baseline vs. 24 mg- DHEA bolus (one-way ANOVA) and comparing 24 mg- DHEA bolus vs. control 4% (Two-way ANOVA).

Fig 4. Groups-related changes in PVR with increasing doses of DHEA bolus infusion. Maximum percentage of variation of PVR with increasing doses of DHEA bolus infusion with significant difference in 24 mg DHEA group compared to 6 mg DHEA and to 12 mg DHEA groups (Two-way ANOVA).

Fig 5. Time-related changes in PVR before and 15 min after DHEA bolus infusion, 30 min after 30 mg LNA bolus infusion. (A) comparison of PVR between 30 mg LNA infusion (n = 5), DHEA 12 mg infusion (n = 5) and LNA+DHEA 12 mg infusion (n = 5); (B) maximum percentage of PVR with 30 mg LNA, or DHEA 12 mg bolus infusion with and without 30 mg LNA pre-treatment; (C) comparison of PVR between 30 mg LNA infusion (n = 5), DHEA 24 mg infusion(n = 5) and LNA+DHEA 24 mg infusion (n = 4); (D) maximum percentage of PVR with 30 mg LNA, or DHEA 24 mg bolus infusion with and without 30 mg LNA pre-treatment.