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Jonuscheit M, Uhlemeyer C, Korzekwa B, Schouwink M, Öner-Sieben S, Ensenauer R, Roden M, Belgardt BF, Schrauwen-Hinderling VB. Post mortem analysis of hepatic volume and lipid content by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in fixed murine neonates. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024:e5140. [PMID: 38556731 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Maternal obesity and hyperglycemia are linked to an elevated risk for obesity, diabetes, and steatotic liver disease in the adult offspring. To establish and validate a noninvasive workflow for perinatal metabolic phenotyping, fixed neonates of common mouse strains were analyzed postmortem via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to assess liver volume and hepatic lipid (HL) content. The key advantage of nondestructive MRI/MRS analysis is the possibility of further tissue analyses, such as immunohistochemistry, RNA extraction, and even proteomics, maximizing the data that can be gained per individual and therefore facilitating comprehensive correlation analyses. This study employed an MRI and 1H-MRS workflow to measure liver volume and HL content in 65 paraformaldehyde-fixed murine neonates at 11.7 T. Liver volume was obtained using semiautomatic segmentation of MRI acquired by a RARE sequence with 0.5-mm slice thickness. HL content was measured by a STEAM sequence, applied with and without water suppression. T1 and T2 relaxation times of lipids and water were measured for respective correction of signal intensity. The HL content, given as CH2/(CH2 + H2O), was calculated, and the intrasession repeatability of the method was tested. The established workflow yielded robust results with a variation of ~3% in repeated measurements for HL content determination. HL content measurements were further validated by correlation analysis with biochemically assessed triglyceride contents (R2 = 0.795) that were measured in littermates. In addition, image quality also allowed quantification of subcutaneous adipose tissue and stomach diameter. The highest HL content was measured in C57Bl/6N (4.2%) and the largest liver volume and stomach diameter in CBA (53.1 mm3 and 6.73 mm) and NMRI (51.4 mm3 and 5.96 mm) neonates, which also had the most subcutaneous adipose tissue. The observed effects were independent of sex and litter size. In conclusion, we have successfully tested and validated a robust MRI/MRS workflow that allows assessment of morphology and HL content and further enables paraformaldehyde-fixed tissue-compatible subsequent analyses in murine neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Jonuscheit
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Celina Uhlemeyer
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Benedict Korzekwa
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marten Schouwink
- University Children's Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Soner Öner-Sieben
- Institute of Child Nutrition, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Regina Ensenauer
- Institute of Child Nutrition, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bengt-Frederik Belgardt
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vera B Schrauwen-Hinderling
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Dibbon KC, Mercer GV, Maekawa AS, Hanrahan J, Steeves KL, Ringer LCM, Simpson AJ, Simpson MJ, Baschat AA, Kingdom JC, Macgowan CK, Sled JG, Jobst KJ, Cahill LS. Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics cause placental dysfunction in mice†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:211-218. [PMID: 37724921 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics has been shown to result in fetal growth restriction in mice. In this study, we investigated the placental and fetal hemodynamic responses to plastics exposure in mice using high-frequency ultrasound. Healthy, pregnant CD-1 dams were given either 106 ng/L of 5 μm polystyrene microplastics or 106 ng/L of 50 nm polystyrene nanoplastics in drinking water throughout gestation and were compared with controls. Maternal exposure to both microplastics and nanoplastics resulted in evidence of placental dysfunction that was highly dependent on the particle size. The umbilical artery blood flow increased by 48% in the microplastic-exposed group and decreased by 25% in the nanoplastic-exposed group compared to controls (p < 0.05). The microplastic- and nanoplastic-exposed fetuses showed a significant decrease in the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index of 10% and 13%, respectively, compared to controls (p < 0.05), indicating vasodilation of the cerebral circulation, a fetal adaptation that is part of the brain sparing response to preserve oxygen delivery. Hemodynamic markers of placental dysfunction and fetal hypoxia were more pronounced in the group exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics, suggesting nanoplastic exposure during human pregnancy has the potential to disrupt fetal brain development, which in turn may cause suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine C Dibbon
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Grace V Mercer
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Alexandre S Maekawa
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Jenna Hanrahan
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Katherine L Steeves
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Lauren C M Ringer
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - André J Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Myrna J Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmet A Baschat
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John C Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher K Macgowan
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John G Sled
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karl J Jobst
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Lindsay S Cahill
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Discipline of Radiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Engel O, Arnon S, Shechter Maor G, Schreiber H, Piura E, Markovitch O. The Effect of External Cephalic Version on Fetal Circulation: A Prospective Cohort Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10020354. [PMID: 36832483 PMCID: PMC9955877 DOI: 10.3390/children10020354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
External cephalic version (ECV) is a cost-effective and safe treatment option for breech presentation at term. Following ECV, fetal well-being is assessed via a non-stress test (NST). An alternative option to identify signs of fetal compromise is via the Doppler indices of the umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV). Inclusion criteria were an uncomplicated pregnancy with breech presentation at term. Doppler velocimetry of the UA, MCA and DV were performed up to 1 h before and up to 2 h after ECV. The study included 56 patients who underwent elective ECV with a success rate of 75%. After ECV, the UA S/D ratio, UA pulsatility index (PI) and UA resistance index (RI) were increased compared to before the ECV (p = 0.021, p = 0.042, and p = 0.022, respectively). There were no differences in the Doppler MCA and DV before or after ECV. All patients were discharged after the procedure. ECV is associated with changes in the UA Doppler indices that might reflect interference in placental perfusion. These changes are probably short-term and have no detrimental effects on the outcomes of uncomplicated pregnancies. ECV is safe; yet it is a stimulus or stress that can affect placental circulation. Therefore, careful case selection for ECV is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Offra Engel
- Obstetrical & Gynecological Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 4428164, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shmuel Arnon
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Neonatology, Meir Medical Center, 4428163 Kfar Saba, Israel
- Correspondence:
| | - Gil Shechter Maor
- Obstetrical & Gynecological Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 4428164, Israel
- Department of Neonatology, Meir Medical Center, 4428163 Kfar Saba, Israel
- High Risk Pregnancy Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 4428164, Israel
| | - Hanoch Schreiber
- Obstetrical & Gynecological Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 4428164, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ettie Piura
- Obstetrical & Gynecological Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 4428164, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ofer Markovitch
- Obstetrical & Gynecological Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 4428164, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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Wilson EN, Mabry S, Bradshaw JL, Gardner JJ, Rybalchenko N, Engelland R, Fadeyibi O, Osikoya O, Cushen SC, Goulopoulou S, Cunningham RL. Gestational hypoxia in late pregnancy differentially programs subcortical brain maturation in male and female rat offspring. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:54. [PMID: 36175941 PMCID: PMC9524087 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00463-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hypoxia is associated with pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, and gestational sleep apnea. Hypoxic insults during gestation can impact the brain maturation of cortical and subcortical pathways, such as the nigrostriatal pathway. However, the long-term effects of in utero hypoxic stress exposure on brain maturation in offspring are unclear, especially exposure during late gestation. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of gestational hypoxia in late pregnancy on developmental programming of subcortical brain maturation by focusing on the nigrostriatal pathway. Methods Timed pregnant Long–Evans rats were exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia or room air normoxia from gestational day (GD) 15–19 (term 22–23 days). Male and female offspring were assessed during two critical periods: puberty from postnatal day (PND) 40–45 or young adulthood (PND 60–65). Brain maturation was quantified by examining (1) the structural development of the nigrostriatal pathway via analysis of locomotor behaviors and the substantia nigra dopaminergic neuronal cell bodies and (2) the refinement of the nigrostriatal pathway by quantifying ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Results The major findings of this study are gestational hypoxia has age- and sex-dependent effects on subcortical brain maturation in offspring by adversely impacting the refinement of the nigrostriatal pathway in the absence of any effects on the structural development of the pathway. During puberty, female offspring were impacted more than male offspring, as evidenced by decreased USV call frequency, chirp USV call duration, and simple call frequency. In contrast, male offspring were impacted more than female offspring during young adulthood, as evidenced by increased latency to first USV, decreased simple USV call intensity, and increased harmonic USV call bandwidth. No effects of gestational hypoxia on the structural development of the nigrostriatal pathway were observed. Conclusions These novel findings demonstrate hypoxic insults during pregnancy mediate developmental programming of the cortical and subcortical pathways, in which male offspring exhibit long-term adverse effects compared to female offspring. Impairment of cortical and subcortical pathways maturation, such as the nigrostriatal pathway, may increase risk for neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., mood disorders, cognitive dysfunction, brain connectivity dysfunction). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13293-022-00463-x. Brain maturation of the nigrostriatal pathway is sex- and age- dependent. Exposure to hypoxia in late pregnancy impacts brain maturation of the nigrostriatal pathway that can be observed during puberty and young adulthood. Gestational hypoxia impacted female offspring during puberty more than males, whereas it impacted male offspring during young adulthood more than females. These novel findings demonstrate that hypoxic insults during pregnancy mediate developmental programming of the cortical and subcortical pathways, in which male offspring exhibit long-term adverse effects compared to female offspring. Long-term adverse effects of gestational hypoxia in offspring can occur in the absence of pregnancy complications, especially if they occur within critical embryological developmental periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Nicole Wilson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Steve Mabry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Jessica L Bradshaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Jennifer J Gardner
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Nataliya Rybalchenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Rachel Engelland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Oluwadarasimi Fadeyibi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Oluwatobiloba Osikoya
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Spencer C Cushen
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.,Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Styliani Goulopoulou
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.,Department of Basic Sciences, Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Rebecca L Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
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5
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Cadaret CN, Posont RJ, Swanson RM, Beard JK, Gibbs RL, Barnes TL, Marks-Nelson ES, Petersen JL, Yates DT. Intermittent maternofetal oxygenation during late gestation improved birthweight, neonatal growth, body symmetry, and muscle metabolism in intrauterine growth-restricted lambs. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6453369. [PMID: 34865027 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans and animals, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) results from fetal programming responses to poor intrauterine conditions. Chronic fetal hypoxemia elevates circulating catecholamines, which reduces skeletal muscle β2 adrenoceptor content and contributes to growth and metabolic pathologies in IUGR-born offspring. Our objective was to determine whether intermittent maternofetal oxygenation during late gestation would improve neonatal growth and glucose metabolism in IUGR-born lambs. Pregnant ewes were housed at 40 °C from the 40th to 95th day of gestational age (dGA) to produce IUGR-born lambs (n = 9). A second group of IUGR-born lambs received prenatal O2 supplementation via maternal O2 insufflation (100% humidified O2, 10 L/min) for 8 h/d from dGA 130 to parturition (IUGR+O2, n = 10). Control lambs (n = 15) were from pair-fed thermoneutral ewes. All lambs were weaned at birth, hand-reared, and fitted with hindlimb catheters at day 25. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and hindlimb hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HEC) studies were performed at days 28 and 29, respectively. At day 30, lambs were euthanized and ex vivo HEC studies were performed on isolated muscle. Without maternofetal oxygenation, IUGR lambs were 40% lighter (P < 0.05) at birth and maintained slower (P < 0.05) growth rates throughout the neonatal period compared with controls. At 30 d of age, IUGR lambs had lighter (P < 0.05) hindlimbs and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscles. IUGR+O2 lambs exhibited improved (P < 0.05) birthweight, neonatal growth, hindlimb mass, and FDS mass compared with IUGR lambs. Hindlimb insulin-stimulated glucose utilization and oxidation rates were reduced (P < 0.05) in IUGR but not IUGR+O2 lambs. Ex vivo glucose oxidation rates were less (P < 0.05) in muscle from IUGR but not IUGR+O2 lambs. Surprisingly, β2 adrenoceptor content and insulin responsiveness were reduced (P < 0.05) in muscle from IUGR and IUGR+O2 lambs compared with controls. In addition, GSIS was reduced (P < 0.05) in IUGR lambs and only modestly improved (P < 0.05) in IUGR+O2. Insufflation of O2 also increased (P < 0.05) acidosis and hypercapnia in dams, perhaps due to the use of 100% O2 rather than a gas mixture with a lesser O2 percentage. Nevertheless, these findings show that intermittent maternofetal oxygenation during late gestation improved postnatal growth and metabolic outcomes in IUGR lambs without improving muscle β2 adrenoceptor content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin N Cadaret
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Robert J Posont
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Rebecca M Swanson
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Joslyn K Beard
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Rachel L Gibbs
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Taylor L Barnes
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | | | - Jessica L Petersen
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Dustin T Yates
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
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Aghaei Z, Steeves KL, Jobst KJ, Cahill LS. The impact of perfluoroalkyl substances on pregnancy, birth outcomes and offspring development: A review of data from mouse models1. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:397-407. [PMID: 34875017 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans, potentially causing adverse health effects at all stages of life. Studies from human pregnancy have shown that exposure to these contaminants are associated with placental dysfunction and fetal growth restriction; however, studies in humans are confounded by genetic and environmental factors. Here, we synthesize the available results from mouse models of pregnancy to show the causal effects of prenatal exposure to PFOA and PFOS on placental and fetal development and on neurocognitive function and metabolic disorders in offspring. We also propose gaps in the present knowledge and provide suggestions for future research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Aghaei
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Katherine L Steeves
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Karl J Jobst
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Lindsay S Cahill
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
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Ginosar Y, Bromberg Z, Nachmanson N, Ariel I, Skarzinski G, Hagai L, Elchalal U, Shapiro J, Abramovitch R. Chronic hypoxia in pregnant mice impairs the placental and fetal vascular response to acute hypercapnia in BOLD-MRI hemodynamic response imaging. Placenta 2021; 110:29-38. [PMID: 34116499 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brief hypercapnic challenge causes acute placental hypoperfusion with fetal brain sparing on BOLD-MRI. We hypothesize that this non-invasive imaging strategy can distinguish between normal pregnancy and chronic placental hypoperfusion (using the maternal hypoxia model). METHODS Eighteen pregnant female ICR mice were randomized to three groups: normoxia, late-onset hypoxia (12%O2;E13.5-17.5) and early-onset hypoxia (12%O2;E10.5-17.5). On E17.5, animals were imaged in a 4.7-T Bruker-Biospec MRI scanner. Fast coronal True-FISP was performed to identify organs of interest (placenta and fetal heart, liver and brain). BOLD-MRI was performed at baseline and during a 4-min hypercapnic challenge (5%CO2). %-change in placental and fetal signal was analyzed from T2*-weighted gradient echo MR images. Following MRI, fetuses and placentas were harvested, weighed and immuno-stained. RESULTS In normoxic mice, hypercapnia caused reduction in BOLD-MRI signal in placenta (-44% ± 7%; p < 0.0001), fetal liver (-32% ± 7%; p < 0.0001) and fetal heart (-54% ± 12%; p < 0.002), with relative fetal brain sparing (-12% ± 5%; p < 0.0001). These changes were markedly attenuated in both hypoxia groups. Baseline fetal brain/placenta SI ratio was highest in normoxic mice (1.14 ± 0.017) and reduced with increasing duration of hypoxia (late-onset hypoxia: 1.00 ± 0.026; early-onset hypoxia: 0.91 ± 0.016; p = 0.02). Both hypoxic groups exhibited fetal growth restriction with prominent placental glycogen-containing cells, particularly in early-onset hypoxia. There was increased fetal neuro- and intestinal-apoptosis in early-onset hypoxia only. CONCLUSIONS BOLD-MRI with brief hypercapnic challenge distinguished between normoxia and both hypoxia groups, while fetal neuroapoptosis was only observed after early-onset hypoxia. This suggests that BOLD-MRI with hypercapnic challenge can identify chronic fetal asphyxia before the onset of irreversible brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehuda Ginosar
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; The Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Zohar Bromberg
- The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy and MRI Laboratory, Human Biology Research Center, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; The Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nathalie Nachmanson
- The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy and MRI Laboratory, Human Biology Research Center, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; The Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ilana Ariel
- Perinatal Pathology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Galina Skarzinski
- Perinatal Pathology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lital Hagai
- Medical Student, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Uriel Elchalal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Joel Shapiro
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rinat Abramovitch
- The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy and MRI Laboratory, Human Biology Research Center, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; The Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, And the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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8
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Leon RL, Ortigoza EB, Ali N, Angelis D, Wolovits JS, Chalak LF. Cerebral Blood Flow Monitoring in High-Risk Fetal and Neonatal Populations. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:748345. [PMID: 35087771 PMCID: PMC8787287 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.748345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebrovascular pressure autoregulation promotes stable cerebral blood flow (CBF) across a range of arterial blood pressures. Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is a developmental process that reaches maturity around term gestation and can be monitored prenatally with both Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Postnatally, there are key advantages and limitations to assessing CA with Doppler ultrasound, MRI, and near-infrared spectroscopy. Here we review these CBF monitoring techniques as well as their application to both fetal and neonatal populations at risk of perturbations in CBF. Specifically, we discuss CBF monitoring in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction, anemia, congenital heart disease, neonates born preterm and those with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. We conclude the review with insights into the future directions in this field with an emphasis on collaborative science and precision medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Leon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Eric B Ortigoza
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Noorjahan Ali
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Dimitrios Angelis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Joshua S Wolovits
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Lina F Chalak
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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9
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Shen G, Hu S, Zhao Z, Zhang L, Ma Q. Antenatal Hypoxia Accelerates the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology in 5xFAD Mouse Model. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:251. [PMID: 32973487 PMCID: PMC7472639 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive impairment and later dementia among the elderly. Mounting evidence shows that adverse maternal environments during the fetal development increase the risk of diseases later in life including neurological disorders, and suggests an early origin in the development of AD-related dementia (ADRD) in utero. In the present study, we investigated the impact of antenatal hypoxia and fetal stress on the initiation of AD-related pathology in offspring of 5xFAD mice. We showed that fetal hypoxia significantly reduced brain and body weight in the fetal and the early postnatal period, which recovered in young adult mice. Using spontaneous Y-maze, novel object recognition (NOR), and open field (OF) tasks, we found that antenatal hypoxia exacerbated cognitive decline in offspring of 5xFAD compared with normoxia control. Of interest, fetal hypoxia did not alter intraneuronal soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomer accumulation in the cortex and hippocampus in 5xFAD mouse offspring, indicating that antenatal hypoxia increased the vulnerability of the brain to synaptotoxic Aβ in the disease onset later in life. Consistent with the early occurrence of cognitive decline, we found synapse loss but not neuronal death in the cerebral cortex in 5xFAD but not wild-type (WT) offspring exposed to antenatal hypoxia. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that antenatal hypoxia significantly increased microglial number and activation, and reactive astrogliosis in the cerebral cortex in WT offspring. Moreover, antenatal hypoxia resulted in an exacerbated increase of microgliosis and astrogliosis in the early stage of AD in 5xFAD offspring. Together, our study reveals a causative link between fetal stress and the accelerated onset of AD-related pathology, and provides mechanistic insights into the developmental origin of aging-related neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofang Shen
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Lawrence D. Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Shirley Hu
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Lawrence D. Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegeneration and Regeneration, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Lubo Zhang
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Lawrence D. Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Qingyi Ma
- Department of Basic Sciences, The Lawrence D. Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
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10
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Sleep in the Supine Position during Pregnancy Is Associated with Fetal Cerebral Redistribution. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9061773. [PMID: 32517385 PMCID: PMC7356729 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The supine sleep position in late pregnancy is a major risk factor for stillbirth, with a population attributable risk of 5.8% and one in four pregnant women reportedly sleeping in a supine position. Although the mechanisms linking the supine sleep position and late stillbirth remain unclear, there is evidence that it exacerbates pre-existing maternal sleep disordered breathing, which is another known risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes. Given that maternal sleep position is a potentially modifiable risk factor, the aim of this study was to characterize and correlate uteroplacental and fetal hemodynamics, including cardiac function, in a cohort of women with apparently uncomplicated pregnancies with their nocturnal sleep position. This was a prospective observational cohort study at an Australian tertiary obstetric hospital. Women were asked to complete a series of questions related to their sleep position in late pregnancy after 35 weeks of completed gestation. They also underwent an ultrasound assessment where Doppler indices of various fetoplacental vessels and fetal cardiac function were measured. Regional cerebral perfusion was also assessed. Pregnancy outcome data was extracted from the electronic hospital database for analysis. A total of 274 women were included in the final analysis. Of these, 78.1% (214/274) reported no supine sleep, and 21.9% (60/274) reported going to sleep in a supine position. The middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, and vertebral artery pulsatility indices were all significantly lower in the supine sleep cohort, as was the cerebroplacental ratio. There were no significant differences in the mode or indication for delivery or in serious neonatal outcomes, including 5-min Apgar score < 7, acidosis, and neonatal intensive care unit admission between cohorts. Women in the supine cohort were more likely to have an infant with a BW > 90th centile (p = 0.04). This data demonstrates fetal brain sparing in association with the maternal supine sleep position in a low-risk population. This data contributes to the growing body of literature attempting to elucidate the etiological pathways responsible for the association of late stillbirth with the maternal supine sleep position.
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11
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Lopez-Tello J, Arias-Alvarez M, Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Sferuzzi-Perri AN. Models of Intrauterine growth restriction and fetal programming in rabbits. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:1781-1809. [PMID: 31538701 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects approximately 10% of human pregnancies globally and has immediate and life-long consequences for offspring health. However, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of IUGR and its association with later health and disease outcomes are poorly understood. To address these knowledge gaps, the use of experimental animals is critically important. Since the 50's different environmental, pharmacological, and surgical manipulations have been performed in the rabbit to improve our knowledge of the control of fetal growth, fetal responses to IUGR, and mechanisms by which offspring may be programmed by an adverse gestational environment. The purpose of this review is therefore to summarize the utility of the rabbit as a model for IUGR research. It first summarizes the knowledge of prenatal and postnatal development in the rabbit and how these events relate to developmental milestones in humans. It then describes the methods used to induce IUGR in rabbits and the knowledge gained about the mechanisms determining prenatal and postnatal outcomes of the offspring. Finally, it discusses the application of state of the art approaches in the rabbit, including high-resolution ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and gene targeting, to gain a deeper integrative understanding of the physiological and molecular events governing the development of IUGR. Overall, we hope to engage and inspire investigators to employ the rabbit as a model organism when studying pregnancy physiology so that we may advance our understanding of mechanisms underlying IUGR and its consequences in humans and other mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Arias-Alvarez
- Department of Animal Production. Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Amanda N Sferuzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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