Pregnancy catecholamines

Ohkawa, T. et al., The effect of an acute stress in late pregnancy on hypothalamic catecholamines of the rat fetus, Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi, 43, 783, 1991. 

Other components of the urine are conjugates with sulfuric acid, glucuronic acid, glycine, and other polar compounds that are synthesized in the liver by biotransformation (see p. 316). In addition, metabolites of many hormones (catecholamines, steroids, serotonin) also appear in the urine and can provide information about hormone production. The proteohormone chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, mass ca. 36 kDa), which is formed at the onset of pregnancy, appears in the urine due to its relatively small size. Evidence of hCG in the urine provides the basis for an immunological pregnancy test. 

The effect of catecholamines on the human uterus, which can be mediated by a- and /3-adrenoceptors, depends on its functional state. During pregnancy /32-adrenoceptor stimulation decrease the uteral tonus, an effect that can be used therapeutically. /32-Adrenoceptor agonists are in use as tocolytics. In the bladder base and the urethral sphincter a-adrenoceptors are present, mediating a contraction, whereas the /32-adrenoceptors of the bladder wall induce a relaxation of the particular smooth muscles present at these structures. Ejaculation is regulated by a-adrenoceptors. 

Uterine muscle contains both a- and (3-adrenoceptors, which mediate contraction and relaxation, respectively. The response of the human uterus to catecholamines is variable and depends on the endocrine balance of the individual at the time of amine administration (see Chapter 62). During the last stage of pregnancy and during parturition, epinephrine inhibits the uterine muscle, as does isoproterenol norepinephrine contracts the uterus. 

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional cause of anemia in humans. It can result from inadequate iron intake, malabsorption, blood loss, or an increased requirement, as with pregnancy. When severe, it results in a characteristic microcytic, hypochromic anemia. Iron is an essential component of myoglobin heme enzymes such as the cytochromes, catalase, and peroxidase and the metalloflavoprotein enzymes, including xanthine oxidase and the mitochondrial enzyme a-glycerophosphate oxidase. Iron deficiency can affect metabohsm in muscle independent of the effect of anemia on delivery, possibly due to a reduction in the activity of iron-dependent mitochondrial enzymes. Iron deficiency also has been associated with behavioral and learning problems in children, abnormahties in catecholamine metabolism, and impaired heat production. 

Propranolol (Inderal) P adrenergic receptor antagonist. Suppresses tachycardia and other catecholamine effects. Emergent preparation of hyperthyroid patients for surgery. Thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy. Thyroid storm. CNS sedation and depression. Suppression of failing heart. 

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