Fig. 3.
Increased EDHF-mediated uterine vasodilation in late gestation is associated with enhanced smooth muscle cell (SMC) cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) response. A: representative changes in SMC [Ca2+]i and the lumen diameter of the artery from a LP rat to cumulative application of ACh. The artery was pretreated with l-NNA and indomethacin and preconstricted with PE before testing ACh. B and C: bar graphs showing the reduction in SMC [Ca2+]i and vasodilation induced by ACh in arteries of NP and LP rats. Vasodilation is expressed as Dmax. *Significantly different at P < 0.05 (2-way repeated-measures ANOVA); n, no. of arteries tested.