Uterine Circulation Time in the Pregnant Primate, With the Uterus and Abdomen Intact.

Abstract

The late toxemias of pregnancy are believed by many to be related to uterine ischemia which in turn produces placental ischemia and the liberation of a toxin. It is important, therefore, to develop a mechanism of demonstrating uterine circulation in the human. Accordingly, a technic was evolved in which equal amts. of Diodrast were injd. by means of a Hypospray (R. P. Scherer Corp., Detroit 13, Mich.) into the anterior abdominal wall and into the myometrium. X-rays taken serially thereafter demonstrated the length of time it took for each injd. area to clear the dye. Many detns. have been made on monkeys (Macacus rhesus) with no ill effects to mother or fetus. Tests may be made as frequently as once a week on each animal. It is believed that such a technic, because of its painlessness and because it can be used at regular intervals on the same patient, is readily adaptable to human studies.