Nitric oxide signaling mechanisms in the forearm vasculature of pregnant women

During pregnancy, forearm blood flow and constrictor responses to nitric ox ide synthase inhibition are enhanced. Responses to brachial artery infusion of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine in pregnant women who have normal resting fore arm blood flow and in pregnant women who have norepinephrine-induced reduce d forearm blood flow were no different. Mechanisms independent of acute flo w effects may account for the enhanced vascular nitric oxide activity durin g pregnancy.