https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index en-au 5 https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:16610 Wed 11 Apr 2018 15:23:31 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:16611 0.001). Trends in receptor binding site density measurements supported this observation (P = 0.07). Glucocorticoid exposure increased β₁-adrenoceptor mRNA levels in the right ventricle of preterm hearts (P = 0.008) but did not alter expression in the left ventricle (P>0.1). Relative abundance of a1A-adrenoceptor mRNA was the same in preterm and term piglet hearts (P = >0.1) but was reduced by maternal glucocorticoid treatment (P<0.01); a2A-adrenoceptor mRNA abundance was higher in untreated and glucocorticoid exposed preterm piglet hearts than in term piglets (P<0.001). There was no difference between male and female piglets in mRNA abundance of any of the genes studied. In conclusion, there is reduced mRNA abundance of β₁-adrenoceptors in the preterm pig heart. If this lower expression of β-adrenoceptors occurs in human preterm infants, it could explain their poor cardiovascular function and their frequent failure to respond to commonly used inotropes.]]> Wed 11 Apr 2018 09:23:09 AEST ]]>