Effect of pregnancy on relaxation of rat aorta to magnesium

Abstract

The effect of pregnancy on magnesium induced relaxation of rat aortic smooth muscle was dependent on the agent used to induce contraction in the tissue, probably because pregnancy exerted different actions on receptor and voltage operated calcium channels. This effect of pregnancy was independent of either endothelial function or prostaglandin synthesis. Neither pregnancy nor the presence of magnesium affected the release of intracellular stored calcium.