Abstract
The mechanisms involved in the cardiovasular changes during human pregnancy and the complicated aetiology of gestational hypertension are unclear. Reproductive hormones have known effects on the cardiovascular system in non-pregnant state and in animal systems but the effects in human pregnancy are uncertain. Oestrogen is suggested to have both functional and structural haemodynamic effects via a transient vasodilating effect and through increased aortic compliance in postmenopausal women [1]. Progesterone has been reported to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive subjects [2] and to induce vascular relaxation [3]. The polypeptide hormone relaxin predominantly produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary is best known for its connective tissue remodelling actions on the female reproductive system [4]. However, additional effects in other organs and systems are suggested. In several animals and tissues relaxin has been shown to cause powerful vasodilatation [5, 6].
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Kristiansson, P., Wang, J.X. (2001). Reproductive hormones and blood pressure during pregnancy. In: Tregear, G.W., Ivell, R., Bathgate, R.A., Wade, J.D. (eds) Relaxin 2000. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2877-5_25
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2877-5_25
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