PROSTAGLANDIN E₁ OPENS THE DUCTUS VENOSUS IN THE NEWBORN LAMB

Abstract

The ductus venosus plays an important role in determining the distribution of umbilical venous blood flow in the fetus. The mechanisms by which blood flow across the ductus venosus are regulated are only partially understood. The following experiments were performed to examine one mechanism by which the ductus venosus may maintain patency. Four lambs had catheters placed in the umbilical vein under inhalational anesthesia. A baseline portal angiogram was performed to assess patency of the ductus venosus. In each lamb, the ductus venosus was closed before the infusion began. The awake lamb then received an infusion of prostaglandin E₁ at a rate of 1 mcg/Kg/min for a period of 2-4 hours into the umbilical vein. The portal angiogram was then repeated. In 2 lambs studied at 24 hours of life, the ductus venosus was open following the infusion of prostaglandin E₁. In 2 lambs who were studied at 2, 4 or 6 days, the ductus venosus remained closed following the infusion of prostaglandin E₁. During the infusion, the sheep breathed spontaneously and showed no overt ill effects. Prostaglandins of the E series may be important in maintaining patency of the ductus venosus as they are in maintaining patency of the ductus arteriosus.

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