Low doses of nicotine-induced fetal cardiovascular responses, hypoxia, and brain cellular activation in ovine fetuses.

Prenatal exposure to nicotine is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. The present study investigated the effect of low doses of nicotine during pregnancy on fetal blood gases, cardiovascular system, and cellular activation in the brain. Intravenous administration of nicotine 10 or 25 microg/kg into ewe did not affect maternal blood gases, blood pressure, and heart rate.