g., [43, 1, 39]). One exception to this is the study by Figueroa et al. who demonstrated a dilatation in larger placental arteries following hypoxic Decitabine price exposure; this effect was increased in pregnancies affected by diabetes mellitus [16]. More recent studies have tried to address this issue using more physiological conditions. Cooper et al. reported no change in chorionic plate artery tone following reduction in perfusate oxygenation from 156 mmHg (control) to 35 mmHg or 15 mmHg [9, 10]. This lack of effect of reduced oxygenation on basal tone argues

against a HFPV response. However, HFPV may be detected and triggered in other vessels subtypes within the fetoplacental vascular tree; unfortunately, stem villus arteries or chorionic plate veins were not assessed in these studies. Effects of perfusate oxygenation on agonist-induced contraction have been reported; BVD-523 reduced oxygenation did not affect endothelin-1-induced contraction or nifedipine-induced relaxation of chorionic plate arteries at physiological normalization pressures [9]. However, KCl- and U46619-stimulated contractions

and nifedipine-induced relaxation were reduced in hypoxia compared with normoxia [10]. Wareing et al. using similar experimental conditions found U46619-induced contractions were similar over the physiological range (35–15 mmHg) Exoribonuclease in chorionic plate arteries and veins [70], whereas hyperoxia (156 mmHg) was associated with reduced agonist-induced

arterial contractility. The authors also noted that the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside promoted relaxation in an oxygen-dependent fashion as relaxation was increased in veins (but not arteries) under hypoxic (15 mmHg) vs. normoxic (35 mmHg) conditions. These inconsistencies make data interpretation difficult. Using pressure myography of isolated chorionic plate vessels, Wareing demonstrated differential responses to hypoxia [68]. Using a sealed tissue bath, vessels were equilibrated at a physiologically relevant control level (35 mmHg O2) in the presence of intraluminal flow prior to induction of hypoxia (maintained level of less than 7 mmHg O2); experiments were performed in arteries and veins in the presence and absence of U46619-induced pretone. Chorionic plate veins demonstrated a small reduction in diameter (equivalent to contraction) which was enhanced with U46619-induced pretone during hypoxic challenge. However, chorionic plate artery diameter increased (equivalent to vasodilatation) in hypoxia or was ineffective (in the presence of pretone) [68].