The Effect of Intermittent Umbilical Cord Occlusion on Elastin Composition in the Ovine Fetus

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of varying degrees of intermittent umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) on arterial elastin composition. Over 4 days, chronically catheterized late gestation fetal sheep received 5 total UCO per day lasting 1 min/h (mild group: n = 6), 2 min/h (moderate group: n = 4), 3 min/h (severe group; n = 6); or no occlusion (control group: n = 7). Each group was evaluated for elastin content of the carotid and superior mesenteric artery (SMA), the arterial pressure response to UCO, and plasma cortisol concentration. Elastin content of the carotid artery was significantly increased by severe UCO (9.5 µg/mg versus 6.4 µg/mg; P < .05) and insignificantly increased in mild and moderate groups, whereas UCO had no effect on elastin content of the SMA. This dose- and site-dependent response of the vasculature appears attributable to the hemodynamic changes that accompany UCO.