| The effect of neonatal hypoxemia on systemic arterial blood pressure at maturity was assessed in male (12 experimental, 11 control) and female (10 experimental, 9 control) adult Sprague Dawley rats. Experimental rats were exposed to hypoxia (FiO2 = 0.12) for the first ten days of life, then subsequently raised in normoxia along with age-matched controls. At 2 months of age arterial blood pressure was recorded intravascularly using telemetry. Systolic, mean, and pulse pressures were significantly greater in hypoxic pre-treated groups of both sexes compared to controls ( p < 0.05). Neonatal hypoxia did not affect diastolic pressure or heart rate. Neonatally hypoxic males displayed significantly increased daytime blood pressure variability. Aortic pulse wave velocity was assessed in males and found to be significantly elevated in 6 additional neonatally hypoxic rats when compared to 5 controls. Neonatal hypoxia in the rat is associated with increased systolic arterial pressure likely due to decreased arterial compliance. |
