Toxæmias of Pregnancy

Renal function in sheep during normal and toxaemic pregnancies

“…The data for human cases (see Smith, 1951, pp. 637-43;Dieckmann, 1952a;Sophian, 1953) show considerable variations, which may be explained by differences in the stage of the toxaemic process and in the nature and duration of treatment at the time of the observations (Assali, 1954); and by the possibility that there are rapid changes in the circulation of short duration, due to general circulatory instability, rather than irreversible vascular changes (Kenney, Lawrence & Miller, 1950a). The consensus of opinion seems to be that in general the glomerular filtration rate is normal or reduced, while the 390 PREGNANCY TOXAEMIA AND RENAL FUNCTION renal blood flow is normal or raised, thus giving a lowered filtration fraction (Smith, 1951, p. 642).…”

Pre-eclampsia – The “uterine reinnervation” view

“…In his scholarly account [14], Dr. Chesley records that both Gabelchoverus (1596) and Mauriceau (1694) attributed preeclampsia to ''irritation of the uterus'' [15,16]. He further notes that Sophian revived this hypothesis when observing the experimental basis for neural connections between the uterus and kidneys in rabbits [17]. He found that distending an intrauterine balloon caused reflex renal vasoconstriction, and, that cutting the nerves between the uterus and kidneys abolished this reflex [17].…”

“…He further notes that Sophian revived this hypothesis when observing the experimental basis for neural connections between the uterus and kidneys in rabbits [17]. He found that distending an intrauterine balloon caused reflex renal vasoconstriction, and, that cutting the nerves between the uterus and kidneys abolished this reflex [17]. Recent Doppler studies demonstrating increases in the resistance of uterine and renal circulations that vary directly with increasing blood pressure, provide evidence for uterorenal connections in women with preeclampsia though further studies describing their relationships with changes in the uterine artery waveform, and, their changes at delivery might be helpful [18,19].…”

über das toxische Prinzip in der Placenta bei Eklampsie

“…Die eine H a u p tg ru p p e b e s te h t in ein g eh en d ster A b k läru n g d er m ü t te rlic h e n N iere, in d er A n n ah m e, d a ß die prim äre N oxe d er T o x äm ie re n a le n U rsp ru n g es sei o d er a u f einem utero -ren alen Reflex b eru h e (Sophian [1,2]). …”