Different Stages Of Gestation Research Articles

Morphological peculiarities of uterine tubes of fetuses from mothers with physiological pregnancy

Aim. In order to identify the structural features of the fallopian tubes in fetuses from women with physiological pregnancy at different stages of gestation, the structure of 47 antenatally dead fetuses were investigated.Methods and results. Used such methods: anthropometric, organometric, histological, histochemical, morphometric and statistical. It has been established that in fetuses of 21st-28th weeks of gestation fallopian tubes are structurally completely formed, and at later dates the formation of their functional activity is noted.Conclusion. This suggests that the effect of mother's pathology in early pregnancy leads to more serious violations of the structure of the fallopian tubes of the fetus. Described morphological features of the structure of the fallopian tubes of fetuses from mothers with physiological pregnancy according to gestational age can be used as a control group of observations in the study of structure of the organs of fetuses from mothers with complicated pregnancy.

English

The present study was carried out to determine the effects of aflatoxinB1 (AFB1) on the skeletal system of the fetuses of balady rabbits. The female animals were divided into three groups, one control and two treated, the control group contained four dams, the intoxicated group with 0.1 mg/kg contained six dams while the intoxicated with 0.05 mg/kg contained three dams. A dose of 0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg/day AFB1 was administered by gastric intubation to pregnant rabbits on the 6th-21st day of pregnancy. The fetuses were obtained through the uterine incisionat different stages of gestation according to the group. The lengths and weights of the fetuses as well as absolute organs weights were measured, revealing the statistically significant differences between the control and intoxicated with 0.05 mg/kg group at 29th day of gestation (p<0.001) while there were non-significant decrease of control and intoxicated with 0.1 mg/kg at 22nd day of gestation. The observed gross anomalies included wrinkled skin, enlarged eye socket and microphthalmic eyes in both groups. The heart of treated group showed reduction in size with wide ventricular lumen and shallow inter ventricular groove in intoxicated group with a dose of 0.05 mg/kg AFB1. Regarding the skeletal anomalies, there were incomplete ossification in some of the skull bones, the laminae of the vertebral arches throughout the vertebral column remain cartilaginous. The sternum was incompletely ossified. Most of the appendicular skeleton bones were grossly shorter and remained in cartilaginous state.   Key words: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), rabbits, teratogenicity, ossification.

Cytokine expression in the placenta of pregnant cattle after inoculation with Neospora caninum

Neospora caninum is recognized as a major cause of reproductive losses worldwide but its pathogenesis is not completely understood. Immune mediated placental pathology has been reported as being responsible for compromising pregnancy probably due to the adverse effects of exacerbated Th1 type response at the maternal–foetal interface. Different clinical outcomes are known to occur following experimental infections of cattle at different stages of gestation, with foetal death being the most common finding during early gestation, and the birth of live congenitally infected calves following infection later in gestation. The aim of the current study was to characterize the cytokine expression in the placenta of cattle experimentally challenged with tachyzoites of the Nc-1 strain during early, mid and late gestation. Moderate to severe infiltration of IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α expressing cells was observed in the placentas collected at early gestation and this infiltration was more pronounced in the samples collected from challenged dams carrying non-viable foetuses, compared with the mothers carrying viable foetuses. In contrast, the infiltration of Th1 cytokine expressing-cells was mild following N. caninum infection in mid gestation and scarce during infection in late gestation. Scarce expression of IL-4 was observed in the placentas from N. caninum-challenged and negative control animals throughout gestation. The milder Th1 immune response observed during later stages of gestation following Nc-1 infection could partially explain the less severe clinical outcome when compared to early pregnancy.

Visualization and Isolation of Human Notochord: An Approach Using Laser Capture Microdissection

Background: The Notochord (chorda dorsalis) is an essential embryonic structure involved in the development of the nervous system and axial skeleton. Chordoma are malignant tumors of the axial skeleton, which arise from remnants of the notochord. Therefore, the notochord seems to be the most appropriate control tissue in chordoma gene expression studies. Many studies have used different tissues as a control for chordoma, due to difficulty of isolating notochordal tissue. Here, we describe a fast and precise method of isolating notochordal cells. Methods: Histological examination of three FFPE spines of human fetuses, with a gestation between 9 and 13 weeks, using (immuno)histochemical methods was performed. Dissection of the notochord from a flash frozen fetus of 10 weeks gestation was performed using laser capture microdissection (LCM). RNA was extracted from this tissue and used in quantitative PCR. Results: This study illustrates notochord of embryonic spines in three different stages of gestation (9-13 weeks). Immunohistochemical staining with brachyury showed strong staining of the notochord, but also weak staining of the intervertebral disc and vertebral body. LCM of the notochord and subsequent RNA extraction resulted in a good yield of total RNA. qPCR analysis confirmed the high quality of RNA. Conclusion: LCM is a fast and precise method to isolate notochord and the quality and yield RNA extracted from this tissue is sufficient for qPCR analysis.

LPS alters placental inflammatory and endocrine mediators and inhibits fetal neurite growth in affected offspring during late gestation

IntroductionDuring pregnancy, maternal infection at different stages of gestation increases the risk of developing several psychiatric and neurological disorders later in life for affected offspring. As placental health is intrinsically linked to neurodevelopmental outcome, maternal infection may adversely affect the placenta at or before the gestational stages it affects fetal neurodevelopment. Here we examined this premise. MethodsPregnant-Sprague Dawley rats were administered saline or lipopolysaccharide by intraperitoneal injection on embryonic days 12–18. We then examined a number of key placental inflammatory and endocrine mediators, along with fetal, birth and neuronal characteristics at different stages of development. ResultsMaternal exposure to lipopolysaccharide at later gestational ages significantly increased pro-inflammatory IL-1β expression and reduced placental HSD11B2 expression. This was accompanied by a reduction in placental weight and embryo number without an effect on embryo weight or crown-rump length. In utero lipopolysaccharide exposure at later gestational ages also impaired the growth of neurons from affected offspring. DiscussionThese data show that maternal infection at later gestational ages modifies placental inflammatory and endocrine mediators that may adversely affect the growth of developing neurons in affected offspring.

Glycoproteins profiles of placental extract -A step towards development of biomarkers of pregnancy in water buffalo

In this study, profiles of glycoproteins of buffalo cotyledons at different stages of pregnancy were studied. First time, WGA lectin affinity chromatography was used to isolate glycoproteins from cotyledons at different stages of gestation in buffalo. The hyper immune sera against the isolated glycoproteins showed no cross reactivity to non- pregnant tissue extract confirming the presence of glycoproteins in samples associated with pregnancy. During early pregnancy, presence of 4 glycoproteins of molecular weights 86, 67, 56 and 51 kDa and out of these glycoproteins, 3 glycoproteins (67, 56 and 51 kDa) were found immunoreactive on western blot analysis. Five glycoproteins of molecular weights 86, 75, 67, 56 and 38 kDa were identified in the mid- and late- stages of pregnancy and all were found immunoreactive. These glycoproteins may be useful for development of RIA/ ELISA based species specific assay for pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring of fetus in buffalo.

Assessment of blood glucose and serum insulin profiles at different stages of gestation in triple cross-bred cattle

Blood glucose and serum insulin were determined in forty four triple cross bred (½ Kankrej X ¼ Jersey X ¼ Holstein Friesian) pregnant heifers (20) and cows (24) on days 90,150, 210 and 275 of gestation. Blood glucose (mg/dl) levels decreased significantly (P< 0.01) as pregnancy advanced in both heifers and cows. Serum insulin (iU/ml) levels increased non-significantly on day 150 from that of day 90 and then decreased non-significantly during advanced stages of gestation in both heifers and cows. Decrease in blood glucose as gestation advances may be due to utilization of glucose for the development and growth of the fetus. Positive correlation existed between glucose and insulin levels at different stages of gestation.

Early onset intrauterine growth restriction in a mouse model of gestational hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

The susceptibility to develop atherosclerosis is increased by intrauterine growth restriction and prenatal exposure to maternal hypercholesterolemia. Here, we studied whether mouse gestational hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis affected fetal development and growth at different stages of gestation. Female LDLR KO mice fed a proatherogenic, high cholesterol (HC) diet for 3 weeks before conception and during pregnancy exhibited a significant increase in non-HDL cholesterol and developed atherosclerosis. At embryonic days 12.5 (E12.5), E15.5, and E18.5, maternal gestational hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis were associated to a 22–24% reduction in male and female fetal weight without alterations in fetal number/litter or morphology nor placental weight or structure. Feeding the HC diet exclusively at the periconceptional period did not alter fetal growth, suggesting that maternal hypercholesterolemia affected fetal weight only after implantation. Vitamin E supplementation (1,000 UI of α-tocopherol/kg) of HC-fed females did not change the mean weight of E18.5 fetuses but reduced the percentage of fetuses exhibiting body weights below the 10th percentile of weight (HC: 90% vs. HC/VitE: 68%). In conclusion, our results showed that maternal gestational hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in mice were associated to early onset fetal growth restriction and that dietary vitamin E supplementation had a beneficial impact on this condition.

Measuring fluctuations in maternal well-being and mood across pregnancy

Psychological health and well-being in pregnancy is not a stable construct but one that undergoes fluctuations across the different trimesters as pregnant women experience worries and anxieties pertinent to different stages of gestation. This paper aims to highlight the inefficiencies of measures commonly used to assess mood in non-pregnant populations when they are administered to pregnant samples, while also highlighting how modern advances in M-Health communication technologies enable immediate ecological momentary assessments, which minimise recall bias and maximise ecological validity and thus represent an opportunity to explore novel research paradigms to increase our understanding of the temporal nature of well-being during pregnancy.

Temporal changes in pregnancy-associated glycoproteins across different stages of gestation in the Barbari goat

The objective of this study was to characterize the temporal profile of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs; isoforms 1–11) across different stages of gestation in the Barbari goat. Placentae were collected from local abattoir, classified according to crown rump length of the corresponding foetus into five groups (0–30, 31–60, 61–90, 91–120, and 121–150 days of gestation), and used for relative quantification of mRNA expression by Pfaffl method. In addition, adult female goats (pregnant, n=7; non-pregnant, n=5) were used to estimate weekly plasma PAG and progesterone (P4) concentrations. The relative mRNA expression of PAGs was greater (p<0.05) during 31–60 days of gestation, which correlated well with the temporal changes in plasma PAG concentrations. Relative expression of PAGs decreased steadily as gestation advanced with minimum expression observed just before parturition, except for PAG-4 and PAG-8 that showed constantly higher expression throughout pregnancy. Plasma PAG and P4 concentrations showed a distinct temporal pattern with a significant increase beginning at 2 weeks and return to basal levels by 20 weeks of gestation. However, PAG concentrations reached a peak earlier in gestation (8 weeks) than P4 (10–14 weeks). Correlation analysis indicated a strong positive association (r=0.748, p<0.01) between plasma PAG and P4 concentrations. In conclusion, results of this study indicate a distinct temporal pattern of PAG expression and secretion during gestation in the Barbari goat. The temporal changes in PAGs and the positive association with P4 are suggestive of their role in maintenance of pregnancy and progressive foetal development.

Canine iPSC generation with non-integrative vectors

Canine iPSC generation with non-integrative vectors

Dedicated mothers: predation risk and physical burden do not alter thermoregulatory behaviour of pregnant vipers

Escape tactics and optimal refuge use have attracted considerable interest, but the influence of pregnancy on escape tactics remains understudied. For instance, embryonic sensitivity to environmental conditions and maternal constraints vary dramatically across pregnancy, and these dynamics should modulate the cost–benefit balance of refuge use. We experimentally studied thermoregulation and refuge use in pregnant and nonreproductive aspic vipers, Vipera aspis, at different stages of gestation (first, middle and last third). We determined preferred body temperatures (Tset) in a cost-free environment to test for fecundity and stage dependencies of maternal Tset. Then, we examined behavioural responses to repeated simulated predatory attacks. Pregnant females were extremely precise thermoregulators compared with nonreproductive females, and Tset was independent of litter size or gestation stage. After simulated attacks, pregnant females limited their time spent in the refuge and thereby their deviation from Tset. By contrast, nonreproductive females had a greater response to predation exposure and adjusted their response to risk level. Contrary to our predictions, pregnant females did not vary their behaviour based on gestation stage, despite increasing physical burden as pregnancy progressed. Overall, our results illustrate that pregnant females alter their behaviour to benefit their developing embryos thermally despite risk to themselves (increased exposure). By doing so, however, the female realizes a benefit by accelerating temperature-sensitive developmental time and thus reducing the duration of pregnancy and associated physical burden.

Biomechanical origin of the Denonvilliers’ fascia

Since 1836 and the first description of the recto-genital fascia by Charles Denonvilliers, many anatomists have shown interest in this subject. Recently, pelvic surgeons have in turn shown similar interest, for they consider that perfect knowledge of this anatomical domain is crucial for optimal nerve conservation during surgery. Thanks to new anatomical description techniques, fascia location and relationships with pelvic nerves now appear clearer. To describe and represent Denonvilliers' fascia and its relationships in the female foetus at different stages of gestation and in three-dimensional space (3D). Computer-assisted anatomical dissection technique was used. Serial histological sections were made from four human female foetuses. Sections were treated with conventional staining, as well as with nerve and smooth muscle immunostaining. Finally, the sections were digitalized and reconstructed in 3D. Denonvilliers' fascia was clearly located and visualized in three dimensions. It was present in the female foetus, being distinct from the fascia propria of the rectum. It appeared to be composed of multiple parallel layers situated between the vagina and the rectum. From a lateral view, it had an asymmetrical "Y-shaped" aspect that seemed to play the role of a protective sheet for the neurovascular bundles. This study betters our comprehension of the Denonvilliers' fascia in the female foetus and of its connections with pelvic nerves. It also provides a better understanding of safe planes during pelvic dissection. These findings also suggest a biomechanical theory for embryological origin of the Denonvilliers' fascia.

Expression of ADAMTS1 mRNA in bovine endometrium and placenta during gestation

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1 (ADAMTS1) is a secreted protease. Through the regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling or developmental processes or both, ADAMTS1 is involved in several biological functions, including ovulation and embryo receptivity. However, the expression and possible role of ADAMTS1 in bovine endometrium is unknown. In this study, we analyzed ADAMTS1 mRNA expression in bovine endometrium during the estrous cycle, peri-implantation period, and at different stages of gestation by using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qPCR) and in situ hybridization. The qPCR results indicated that the expression of ADAMTS1 mRNA was not affected by the day of the estrous cycle and was similar to cyclic levels on day 35 of gestation; however, the expression was more abundant in cotyledonary tissues of the placenta during late gestation. The in situ hybridization study showed that ADAMTS1 mRNA was detected mainly in uterine luminal epithelia and stromal cells during the estrous cycle and peri-implantation period. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1 mRNA was also expressed in the peri-implantation conceptus as well as in trophoblast cells, which include binucleate cells, and increased during late gestation. Furthermore, treatment of stromal cell with progesterone (300 nM) stimulated the expression of ADAMTS1 mRNA. This study indicates that ADAMTS1 participates in bovine endometrial remodeling, which is required for implantation and placental development in coordination with ovarian steroids.

Pharmacokinetics of puerarin in pregnant rats at different stages of gestation after oral administration

This study aims to observe the effects of gestational stage on the pharmacokinetics of puerarin after oral administration in rats. The pharmacokinetics of puerarin was studied in pregnant rats using a sensitive and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet method. The concentration–time curves in both normal and pregnant rats were fit into a two-compartment model. The results indicated that gestation influences the pharmacokinetics of puerarin at different levels, especially during the early stages of pregnancy. Furthermore, puerarin penetrates the placental barrier and maintains high concentrations in fetal rat plasma. Therefore, puerarin administration should be carefully considered in pregnant women.

Effects of maternal nutrition on development of gastrointestinal tract of bovine fetus at different stages of gestation

This study was developed aiming to evaluate the effects of maternal feed-restriction on development of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of bovine fetus at different gestational stages. Feed-restricted cows were fed 1.2 times the maintenance level while the control group was fed ad libitum. Pregnant cows were slaughtered at 136, 189, 239, and 269 days of gestation and gastrointestinal tracts of the fetuses were evaluated. No effects of maternal nutrition on body weight (P=0.17) and body length (P=0.13) of the fetuses were observed. No major effects of feed restriction on GIT mass of the fetuses were observed (P=0.51). However, the weight of small intestine per unit of body weight was 11.24% greater (P=0.04) in fetuses from restricted dams. Additionally, the length of small intestine and its villi were 12.93% and 16.44% respectively greater (P<.001) in fetuses from restricted dams compared to those from non-restricted dams. These data indicates that maternal feed-restriction does not affect the development of most of fetal gastrointestinal parts besides small intestine which in turn increases its surface area as a response of maternal feed restriction.

THE EVIDENCE FOR LATE-ONSET PRE-ECLAMPSIA AS A MATERNOGENIC DISEASE OF PREGNANCY

It is our opinion that the evidence from epidemiological observations, clinical trials and biological studies is strong enough to support the view of different origin and phenotypes of pre-eclampsia: placental, which usually occurs (but not exclusively) early in pregnancy and is associated with poor early placentation of different severity with subsequent restriction of foetal growth, at different stages of gestation; and maternogenic, which generally occurs late in pregnancy and it is not related to placental insufficiency and foetal growth restriction.

Morphometric analysis of the placenta in the New World mouse Necromys lasiurus (Rodentia, Cricetidae): a comparison of placental development in cricetids and murids

BackgroundStereology is an established method to extrapolate three-dimensional quantities from two-dimensional images. It was applied to placentation in the mouse, but not yet for other rodents. Herein, we provide the first study on quantitative placental development in a sigmodontine rodent species with relatively similar gestational time. Placental structure was also compared to the mouse, in order to evaluate similarities and differences in developmental patterns at the end of gestation.MethodsFetal and placental tissues of Necromys lasiurus were collected and weighed at 3 different stages of gestation (early, mid and late gestation) for placental stereology. The total and relative volumes of placenta and of its main layers were investigated. Volume fractions of labyrinth components were quantified by the One Stop method in 31 placentae collected from different individuals, using the Mercator® software. Data generated at the end of gestation from N. lasiurus placentae were compared to those of Mus musculus domesticus obtained at the same stage.ResultsA significant increase in the total absolute volumes of the placenta and its main layers occurred from early to mid-gestation, followed by a reduction near term, with the labyrinth layer becoming the most prominent area. Moreover, at the end of gestation, the total volume of the mouse placenta was significantly increased compared to that of N. lasiurus although the proportions of the labyrinth layer and junctional zones were similar. Analysis of the volume fractions of the components in the labyrinth indicated a significant increase in fetal vessels and sinusoidal giant cells, a decrease in labyrinthine trophoblast whereas the proportion of maternal blood space remained stable in the course of gestation. On the other hand, in the mouse, volume fractions of fetal vessels and sinusoidal giant cells decreased whereas the volume fraction of labyrinthine trophoblast increased compared to N. lasiurus placenta.ConclusionsPlacental development differed between N. lasiurus and M. musculus domesticus. In particular, the low placental efficiency in N. lasiurus seemed to induce morphological optimization of fetomaternal exchanges. In conclusion, despite similar structural aspects of placentation in these species, the quantitative dynamics showed important differences.

Effects of substituting soya bean meal (SBM) with blood meal (BM) on biochemical profile of pregnant pigs

Twenty-four Large White × Landrace crossbreed primigravid pigs, aged 7.50 to 8.00 months weighing between 86.15 and 88.24 kg were used to study the effects of feeding graded levels of soya bean meal (SBM) replaced blood meal (BM) diets on serum biochemical profile in gestating pigs. The pigs were randomly allotted to four finisher diets formulated such that BM replaced SBM at 0.0, 50.0, 75.0 and 100.0 %, respectively. The diets were T1 (100.0 % SBM, 0.0 % BM), T2 (50.0 % SBM, 50.0 % BM), T3 (25.0 % SBM, 75.0 % BM) and T4 (0.0 % SBM, 100.0 % BM). Individual animal's daily ration of the test diets was 2.20, 2.00 and 2.50 kg at stages one, two and three of gestation. Blood sampling and analysis for the effects of the test diets on biochemical profile of the experimental animals were carried out prior to conception, at weeks 3, 7 and 11 of gestation, respectively. The result showed no significant (P ≥ 0.05) dietary treatment effects on total protein, albumin, globulin fraction, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and urea profile of the pigs fed with BM diets when compared to the control fed with 100.0 % SBM. There was however a significant (P ≤ 0.05) variation in these biochemical indices in all the experimental groups at different stages of gestation. It was concluded that BM can replace 100.0 % of SBM in the diets of pregnant pigs in the tropical humid environment without any deleterious effect on their health.

Morphological assessment of placentomal trophoblastic epithelium in the placenta of West African Dwarf goats: A light and electron microscopic study

Gravid uteri harvested from 11 pregnant West African Dwarf goats at different stages of gestation were used to study the morphology of goat placentomal trophoblastic epithelium. The trophoblastic epithelium was composed of two trophoblast cell types; the mononucleate trophoblast cells and the binucleate trophoblast cells. Mononucleate trophoblast cells were tall columnar cells that rested on the basal lamina and extended to the foetomaternal interface, where their microvillar processes interdigitated with similar processes of the uterine epithelial cells to form the foetomaternal contact zone. Mononucleate trophoblast cells lining the arcade zones of placentomes contained erythrocytes in their cytoplasm. These cells are morphologically modified for acquisition of nutrients from the maternal compartment. Binucleate trophoblast cells showed two nuclei per cell and numerous characteristic membrane-bound granules in their cytoplasm. In addition, the binucleate cells resided in an intraepithelial position, showed evidence of capacity to migrate within the trophoblastic epithelium and fused with uterine epithelial cells at the foetomaternal interface. It would appear that the roles of the binucleate cells include formation of foetomaternal-derived hybrid cells in the placentomes and translocation of foetally synthesized substances across the placental barrier into maternal tissues via their migration and fusion with uterine epithelial cells. Furthermore this study demonstrated morphological modifications of the placentomal trophoblastic epithelium including extension of foetal blood capillaries into an intraepithelial position within the trophectoderm, such that they are situated close to the foetomaternal contact zone. This may enhance haemotrophic exchange of nutrients and metabolites between maternal and foetal blood circulations by reducing the diffusion distance between foetal and maternal blood capillaries.