Function In Pregnancy Research Articles

Research progress on abnormal liver function in pregnancy

Abnormal liver function in pregnancy is a common clinical problem in the department of obstetrics and liver disease, but its severity can cause danger to the life of the mother and fetus. Therefore, the different cause of abnormal liver function in pregnancy should be assessed accurately in order to take early intervention measures. Moreover, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the situation of both mother and fetus to obtain the optimal treatment effect for abnormal liver function caused by different types of pregnancy-related liver diseases.

The relationship between body mass index, body image, and sexual function: A survey on Iranian pregnant women.

BackgroundThe prevalence of sexual problems is high during pregnancy. Despite this, there are limited data about the impact of physical and psychological factors such as body weight and body image on sexual function in pregnant women.Objective To investigate the relationship between body mass index, body image, and sexual function among pregnant women.Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 206 Iranian pregnant women (106 with normal weight and 100 overweight women) in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy were surveyed. Survey instruments included the Female Sexual Function Index and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of female sexual disorder was 72.3% in this survey. Diminished sexual desire/appetite was the most common problem reported by the participants (37.9%). The mean score of sexual problem and body image were not significantly different among overweight and normal weight women in the 2nd (p = 0.945 and p = 0.800, respectively) and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy (p = 0.310 and p = 0.507, respectively). Further, there were no relationships between the body mass index plus body image and the total female sexual function score (p = 0.44 and p = 0.837, respectively). However, the relationship between the appearance evaluation with lubrication (p = 0.043) and subjective weight with two subscales of sexual satisfaction (p = 0.005) and orgasm (p = 0.019) were significant.ConclusionThe findings from this study revealed that there were no relationships between body mass index plus body image score and the sexual function in pregnancy. Therefore, a further research is recommended to study other potential factors affecting sexual function during pregnancy.

Fetal cardiac remodeling and dysfunction is associated with both preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction

Preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction share some pathophysiologic features and are both associated with placental insufficiency. Fetal cardiac remodeling has been described extensively in fetal growth restriction, whereas little is known about preeclampsia with a normally grown fetus. To describe fetal cardiac structure and function in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction as compared with uncomplicated pregnancies. This was a prospective, observational study including pregnancies complicated by normotensive fetal growth restriction (n=36), preeclampsia with a normally grown fetus (n=35), preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction (preeclampsia with a normally grown fetus-fetal growth restriction, n=42), and 111 uncomplicated pregnancies matched by gestational age at ultrasound. Fetal echocardiography was performed at diagnosis for cases and recruitment for uncomplicated pregnancies. Cord blood concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin I were measured at delivery. Univariate and multiple regression analysis were conducted. Pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction showed similar patterns of fetal cardiac remodeling with larger hearts (cardiothoracic ratio, median [interquartile range]: uncomplicated pregnancies 0.27 [0.23-0.29], fetal growth restriction 0.31 [0.26-0.34], preeclampsia with a normally grown fetus 0.31 [0.29-0.33), and preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction 0.28 [0.26-0.33]; P<.001) and more spherical right ventricles (right ventricular sphericity index: uncomplicated pregnancies 1.42 [1.25-1.72], fetal growth restriction 1.29 [1.22-1.72], preeclampsia with a normally grown fetus 1.30 [1.33-1.51], and preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction 1.35 [1.27-1.46]; P=.04) and hypertrophic ventricles (relative wall thickness: uncomplicated pregnancies 0.55 [0.48-0.61], fetal growth restriction 0.67 [0.58-0.8], preeclampsia with a normally grown fetus 0.68 [0.61-0.76], and preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction 0.66 [0.58-0.77]; P<.001). Signs of myocardial dysfunction also were observed, with increased myocardial performance index (uncomplicated pregnancies 0.78 z scores [0.32-1.41], fetal growth restriction 1.48 [0.97-2.08], preeclampsia with a normally grown fetus 1.15 [0.75-2.17], and preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction 0.45 [0.54-1.94]; P<.001) and greater cord blood B-type natriuretic peptide (uncomplicated pregnancies 14.2 [8.4-30.9] pg/mL, fetal growth restriction 20.8 [13.1-33.5] pg/mL, preeclampsia with a normally grown fetus 31.8 [16.4-45.8] pg/mL and preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction 37.9 [15.7-105.4] pg/mL; P<.001) and troponin I as compared with uncomplicated pregnancies. Fetuses of preeclamptic mothers, independently of their growth patterns, presented cardiovascular remodeling and dysfunction in a similar fashion to what has been previously described for fetal growth restriction. Future research is warranted to better elucidatethe mechanism(s) underlying fetal cardiac adaptation in these conditions.

SAT-319 ESTIMATING GFR IN PREGNANCY: COMPARISON BETWEEN 24-HOUR CREATININE CLEARANCE RATE AND NANRA EQUATION

Currently there is no validated serum creatinine based eGFR equation available to accurately measure renal function in pregnancy, partly because pregnancy related weight and body surface area changes are not representative of an increase in serum creatinine production. In order to perform accurate renal function measurements in pregnancy, 24-hour urine collections are required to measure the 24-hour creatinine clearance rate. The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of the non-weight based, serum creatinine based NANRA equation for calculating eGFR in the setting of pregnancy, as well as assessing the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation, and a CKD-EPI adjusted Body Surface Area (BSA) equation.

FUNÇÃO E DISFUNÇÃO SEXUAL FEMININA DURANTE O CICLO GRAVÍDICO-PUERPERAL

A gravidez e puerpério são períodos da vida da mulher marcados por frequentes dificuldades sexuais. Inúmeros fatores interferem na função sexual nesse período, incluindo alterações hormonais, anatômicas, psicológicas e sociais. Objetivos: discutir as funções e disfunções sexuais femininas na gestação epuerpério, os principais fatores associados, além da avaliação e manejo multiprofissional. Métodos: a estratégia desta revisão foi a busca de artigos revelantes nas bases de dados PubMed, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), teses no banco de dados da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), no perído dode 1966 a 2019. Os artigos foram selecionados utilizando os seguintes descritores isolados e combinados:(1) função sexual, (2) disfunção sexual, (3) sexualidade, (4) gestação e (5) puerpério. Resultados: a partir darevisão de literatura realizada, foi escrito o presente artigo, que abordou a sexualidade feminina no períodogravídico-puerperal, concentrando o assunto em três grandes eixos: (1) função sexual feminina na gestaçãoe puerpério, (2) disfunção sexual feminina na gestação e puerpério e (3) abordagem da função e disfunçãosexual feminina na gestação e puerpério. Conclusão: a vida sexual da mulher no ciclo gravídico-puerperalconstitui um desafio adaptativo que exige profissionais de saúde preparados para falar abertamente sobre sexualidade com o casal, um tema ainda atualmente pouco discutido.

PKM-KONSELING IBU HAMIL DALAM MEMENUHI KEBUTUHAN DASAR IBU SELAMA KEHAMILAN DI KELURAHAN BAGAN PETE

Maternal and infant mortality is very influential on the integrity and resilience of family and society, the quality of human resources, which in turn will hinder efforts to achieve national development goals. The causal factors that cause indirect or direct causes are because most pregnant women do not understand the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy so that the mother cannot adapt to physiological changes during pregnancy. The physiology of pregnancy and childbirth in general is the same, but because certain things related to the process of forming a fetus in the womb until the birth of a baby varies, the physiology of the baby's birth becomes different from one another. One of them is circulation function in pregnancy. Blood circulation from the mother for fetus will increase according to gestational age and according to the increase in weight and size of the fetus. The aim of this community service program is that expectant mothers can understand the basic needs during pregnancy both for the needs of the mother and the fetus. One effort that can be done so that the mother can understand the basic needs during pregnancy, both the needs for the mother and the basic needs for the fetus, namely by giving counseling explanations about what needs are needed by the mother and fetus.

557: Progesterone decreases human cervical smooth muscle cell contractility

The cervical internal os (IO) contains smooth muscle which may function as a sphincter. Premature cervical failure (funneling at the IO) leading to preterm birth may be due to premature “sphincter” relaxation. Progesterone is used to treat premature cervical failure but the effects of estrogen, progesterone on human cervical smooth muscle cell (HCSMC) function is unclear. We evaluated the effects of estrogen and progesterone on HCSMC contractility and intracellular calcium flux. HCSMC were isolated from cervical biopsies obtained from healthy women undergoing 2nd trimester pregnancy termination and immunostained for: estrogen (ER)/progesterone (PR) receptors, SMC markers (αSMA, SM22, desmin). HCSMC were treated overnight with serum-free media alone or decreasing concentrations (10-5M, 10-7M or 10-9M) of β-estradiol or progesterone and then stimulated with serum-free media/no hormones or 1uM oxytocin for 10min. F:G-actin ratio assays (indirectly measures SMC contractility) were then performed. The same experimental design was followed utilizing 1 dose of β-estradiol or progesterone (10-7M) and calcium flux assays were performed. Experiments were repeated at least twice using HCSMC from 6 women. Statistical analysis included Student’s t-test and ANOVA. Primary HCSMC express ER, PR and mature SMC markers. β-estradiol significantly increases HCSMC contractility and enhances oxytocin-induced contractility (increases F:G actin ratios). Progesterone significantly reduces oxytocin-induced HCSMC contractility (decreases F:G actin ratios, Fig 1). Results were similar regardless of hormone concentration. Intracellular calcium levels were increased by oxytocin and decreased by progesterone. β-estradiol did not increase calcium levels compared to treatment with oxytocin alone (Fig. 2). β-estradiol increases and progesterone decreases HCSMC contractility. Progesterone likely decreases contractility through alterations in intracellular calcium flux. If a smooth muscle sphincter exists at the IO, further studies are needed to comprehend the effect of pregnancy hormones, specifically progesterone, on cervical function in pregnancy. This study highlights the importance of performing studies which mimic the pregnant hormonal environment to accurately understand normal and abnormal cervical function in pregnancy.

Thyroid function in pregnancy

Thyroid hormones are essential for pregnancy maintenance and correct foetal development; even a mild thyroid disturbance can cause potential adverse consequences on obstetric outcomes and foetal well-being. Pregnancy also places substantial demands on the thyroid axis, with consequent increase of thyroid hormone requirements. Thus, it is critical to maintain appropriate levels of iodine and thyroid hormones during pregnancy. Thyroid disorders are relatively common in pregnancy, and a prompt diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction requiring medical intervention is needed. Data from large population cohorts and randomised clinical trials demonstrated that it is challenging to establish precise cut-offs of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy, and therefore diagnose milder forms of thyroid dysfunction. There is now a growing awareness of the need for greater clarity with regard to gestational thyroid reference ranges which should not only be trimester specific, but also population and laboratory method specific. Sub-optimal thyroid function might also be exacerbated by the presence of thyroid autoantibodies, especially anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies; such evidence led to a change in the most recent American Thyroid Association guidelines. Overt thyroid dysfunction is associated with adverse outcomes, particularly foetal loss, and early gestational age at delivery; there is universal agreement about the absolute necessity to treat such conditions. On the other hand it is unclear whether marginal thyroid abnormalities, such as subclinical hypothyroidism (ScHypo) and isolated hypothyroxinemia (IH), have sufficient impact to justify widespread screening for thyroid disease in pregnancy. This has led to substantial discrepancies between societal guidelines. More recently concern has also been raised regarding over-treatment of hypothyroidism which may result in adverse neurocognitive outcomes. There is a pressing need for evidence-based studies to determine whether universal thyroid screening in pregnancy is appropriate. Iodine deficiency and endocrine disruptors are also likely to have similar deleterious impacts as thyroid insufficiency and greater clarity is also needed here.

Serum Creatinine in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

IntroductionStandard assessment of renal function in pregnancy is by measurement of serum creatinine concentration yet normal gestational ranges have not been established. The aim of this systematic review was to define the difference in serum creatinine in a healthy pregnancy compared with concentrations in nonpregnant women to facilitate identification of abnormal kidney function in pregnancy.MethodsMedline, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, theses, key obstetric texts, and conference proceedings were searched to July 2017. Eligible studies included quantification of serum creatinine concentration in a pregnant cohort, with either a reported local laboratory reference range or matched quantification in a nonpregnant cohort. The outcomes of interest were the mean and upper reference limits for creatinine in pregnancy, measured as a ratio of pregnant:nonpregnant values. Study heterogeneity was examined by meta-regression analysis.ResultsForty-nine studies were identified. Data synthesis included 4421 serum creatinine values in pregnancy, weighted according to cohort size. Mean values for serum creatinine in pregnancy were 84%, 77%, and 80% of nonpregnant mean values during the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. The 97.5th centile (upper limit of the 95% reference range) for serum creatinine in pregnancy was 85%, 80%, and 86% of the nonpregnant upper limit in sequential trimesters.ConclusionBased on a nonpregnant reference interval of 45–90 μmol/l (0.51–1.02 mg/dl), a serum creatinine of >77 μmol/l (0.87 mg/dl) should be considered outside the normal range for pregnancy. Future work can use this value to explore correlation of adverse pregnancy outcomes with serum creatinine concentration. PROSPERO registration: CRD42017068446

Generations in, Generations of: Pregnancy in Jane Austen

ABSTRACTPregnancy seems tangential to the concerns of Austen's oeuvre and has received little scholarly attention. In all major Austen novels, however, pregnant characters are active, if secondary, participants in plot. In this article, I argue that pregnancy pushes at epistemological anxieties between inside and outside in Austen's work, and that pregnancy has something to tell us about tensions between critical notions of surface and depth, dignity and the ridiculous. I explore the ubiquity of pregnancy in Austen's completed mature novels, connect the narrative function of pregnancy to shifting mores in Austen's time, consider excessive bodies more generally in Austen's writing, and read Austen's two most nuanced narrative deployments of pregnancy in Sense and Sensibility and Emma. I approach Austen's much studied use of free indirect discourse – a technique that complicates tidy notions of surface and depth – to suggest that bodies complicate narrative relationships between inside and outside, and that those relationships help elucidate contemporary methodological concerns in literary studies. Austen's passing mentions of pregnancy resonate with critical anxieties about pleasure and perspective, highlighting the generative possibilities of what I call “perverse criticism”.

Prenatal neural responses to infant faces predict postpartum reflective functioning

Pregnancy is shaped by unfolding psychological and biological changes in preparation for parenthood. A growing literature has examined the postpartum maternal brain. However, few studies examine the maternal brain during pregnancy, and whether brain function in pregnancy may have implications for postpartum caregiving. Using event-related potentials, we examined the late positive potential (LPP) elicited by infant distress and neutral faces in 35 women during their third trimester of pregnancy. Then, at 3 months postpartum, mothers completed a measure of parental reflective functioning to capture how they regarded their capacity to consider their child’s thoughts and feelings. We found that in the third trimester, infant distress faces elicited larger LPPs compared to infant neutral faces. Moreover, the LPP elicited by infant neutral faces predicted levels of postpartum reflective functioning. Specifically, a larger LPP elicited by neutral infant faces predicted greater maternal self-reported difficulty recognizing and understanding their own infant’s thoughts and feelings. Our findings suggest that studying the pregnant brain may have predictive value for facets of postpartum caregiving and may inform clinical interventions with new mothers.

Iodine Intake is Associated with Thyroid Function in Mild to Moderately Iodine Deficient Pregnant Women.

Background: Studies indicate that mild to moderate iodine deficiency in pregnancy may have a long-term negative impact on child neurodevelopment. These effects are likely mediated via changes in maternal thyroid function, since iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. However, the impact of iodine availability on thyroid function during pregnancy and on thyroid function reference ranges are understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between iodine intake and thyroid function during pregnancy.Design: In a population-based pregnancy cohort including 2910 pregnant women participating in The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, we explored cross sectional associations of maternal iodine intake measured (1) by a food frequency questionnaire and (2) as iodine concentration in a spot urine sample, with plasma thyroid hormones and antibodies.Results: Biological samples were collected in mean gestational week 18.5 (standard deviation 1.3) and diet was assessed in gestational week 22. Median iodine intake from food was 121 μg/day (interquartile range 90, 160), and 40% reported use of iodine-containing supplements in pregnancy. Median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 59 μg/L among those who did not use supplements and 98 μg/L in the women reporting current use at the time of sampling, indicating mild to moderate iodine deficiency in both groups. Iodine intake as measured by the food frequency questionnaire was not associated with the outcome measures, while UIC was inversely associated with FT3 (p = 0.002) and FT4 (p < 0.001). Introduction of an iodine-containing supplement after gestational week 12 was associated with indications of lower thyroid hormone production (lower FT4, p = 0.027, and nonsignificantly lower FT3, p = 0.17). The 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of TSH, FT4, and FT3 were not significantly different by groups defined by calculated iodine intake or by UIC.Conclusion: The results indicate that mild to moderate iodine deficiency affect thyroid function in pregnancy. However, the differences were small, suggesting that normal reference ranges can be determined based on data also from mildly iodine deficient populations, but this needs to be further studied. Introducing an iodine-containing supplement might temporarily inhibit thyroid hormone production and/or release.

Sexual functions in pregnancy: different situations in near geography:a case study on Turkey, Iran and Greece

Purpose: This descriptive and cross-sectional study aims to determine the sexual function status of primipar and multipar pregnant women who admitted to birth clinics in Iran, Turkey and Greece and to investigate the relationship between pregnancy processes and some variables.Methodology: This descriptive and cross-sectional study population consisted of primipar/multipar pregnant women who met the research inclusion criteria, agreed to participate in the research and admitted to the Tabriz Pars Clinic in Iran, Izmir Aegean Maternity Hospital in Turkey and Thessaloniki University Hospital in Greece.Results: When the sexual problems of women are compared according to their countries,it was determined that 40% of Iranian women “can’t easily share their sexuality issues with their spouses”, whereas this rate was 8% in Turkey and 6.7% in Greece.Considering the prevalence of orgasmic and arousal disorder in the pre-pregnancy period,it was reported that this rate was 53% in Iran, 47% in Greece and 5.6% in Turkey.In the study, the mean “Female Sexual Function Index(FSFI)” score of Turkish women was found to be (59.83 ± 21.75), whereas the FSFI score of Iranian women was (62.86 ± 22.71) and mean FSFI score of the Greek women was (54.33 ± 21.15).Discussion: In the study, it was shown that there is a difference in the sexual problems of the women, depending on the religious and socio-cultural structure of the country they live in. For an effective case and training on sexuality,the norms and values of the society have to be understood in order to raise quality of lives and problem-free sexuality of pregnant women.

Inconsistencies in the management of neonates born to mothers with "thyroid diseases".

Although thyroid medications are frequently prescribed during pregnancy, paediatricians treating the respective neonates often have no information about the underlying maternal thyroid disease, and inconsistencies in postnatal diagnostics may result. We analysed a cohort of 1819 mothers admitted for delivery in 1year to one hospital. We analysed the pre- and postpartum diagnostics in the mothers, the postnatal diagnostics in the neonates and their postnatal auxological development. Two hundred thirteen mothers (11.7%) had "thyroid disease"; 37 (2.0%) had Hashimoto thyroiditis, seven (0.4%) Graves' disease and 169 (9.3%) "thyroid disease of other origins". One hundred eighty-eight out of 213 (88%, 10.3% of the entire cohort) took levothyroxine. Pre- and postpartum diagnostics of the mothers and postnatal diagnostics of the neonates revealed striking inconsistencies. For example, 39 % of the gynaecologists routinely determined TSH, while only 59% carried out a dosage adjustment for known hypothyroidism. Second specialists were consulted in 86%. Unnecessary postpartum diagnostics were initiated in 19/213 neonates (9%). TRAb was analysed, however, in only one neonate born from the mothers with Graves' disease-a condition in which further diagnostic efforts are mandatory.Conclusion: Although many pregnant women have thyroid dysfunction, we observed a lack of uniformity in the diagnostic approach of the women and their neonates. What is Known: • Disturbed maternal thyroid function in pregnancy often has an adverse impact on both the mother and the foetus. • Although detailed guidelines for managing impaired maternal thyroid function during pregnancy have been published, their application in clinical practice varies widely. What is New: • Recommendations for managing the newborn of a mother presenting with thyroid disease of unknown entity are remarkably inconsistent. • This leads to a possible over-diagnosis in general and a potentially life-threatening failure to note neonatal hyperthyroidism requiring rapid treatment.

Fetal Major Cardiac Defects and Placental Dysfunction at 11–13 Weeks’ Gestation

(Abstracted from Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018;51:194–198) Major congenital heart defects (CHDs) are those that require invasive interventions within the first year following birth and are often associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR). A recent study on isolated major CHDs found evidence of impaired placental angiogenesis in the absence of impaired placental perfusion and function in pregnancies with fetal CHD.

Effect of pregnancy on sexual function of couples.

Sexual function is an important part of each human being's personality and in the general couple relationship, with an obvious impact on quality of life and safe sexual performance during pregnancy is important for couples. The objective of this study was to assess effects of pregnancy on sexual function of couples. In a prospective cohort study 123 couples were enrolled in the study when women were first diagnosed to be pregnant. During their pre-natal visits, Sexual function of couples was evaluated using the Iranian Version Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in men and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in women in three trimesters. Statistical analysis was performed. Indices of sexual function showed significant regressions over time during pregnancy. The greatness of the problem was highest during the third trimester. Female sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction domain scores had the major correlation to IIEF total score. On the other hand, male intercourse satisfaction domain score had the maximum correlation to FSFI total score. A strong correlation between male and female sexual function was observed. Sexual function is a widespread problem during pregnancy among Iranian couples. Therefore, pregnant women and their husbands need counseling about healthy sexual function in pregnancy.

Insulin sensitivity assessed using urine C peptide creatinine ratio (UCPCR) in pregnancy: cross-sectional analysis of an English multiethnic cohort

AimsTo assess urinary C peptide creatinine ratio (UCPCR) used in a modified Matsuda equation to measure insulin sensitivity (IS) in pregnancy.Research and design methodsIn this cross-sectional study, two IS measurements...

Extracellular vesicles and their immunomodulatory functions in pregnancy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles released into the extracellular space by almost all types of cells. EVs can cross the physiological barriers, and a variety of biological fluids are enriched in them. EVs are a heterogeneous population of vesicles, including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. The different subpopulations of vesicles can be differentiated by size and origin, in which exosomes (~100nm and from endocytic origin) are the most studied so far. EVs have essential roles in cell-to-cell communication and are critical modulators of immune response under normal and pathological conditions. Pregnancy is a unique situation of immune-modulation in which the maternal immune system protects the fetus from allogenic rejection and maintains the immunosurveillance. The placenta is a vital organ that performs a multitude of functions to support the pregnancy. The EVs derived from the human placenta have crucial roles in regulating the maternal immune response for successful pregnancy outcome. Placenta-derived vesicles perform a myriad of functions like suppression of immune reaction to the developing fetus and establishment and maintenance of a systemic inflammatory response to combat infectious intruders. A fine-tuning of these mechanisms is quintessential for successful completion of pregnancy and healthy outcome for mother and fetus. Dysregulation in the mechanisms mentioned above can lead to several pregnancy disorders. In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding the critical roles played by the EVs in immunomodulation during pregnancy with particular attention to the placenta-derived exosomes.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) function in pregnancy – New perspectives for the putatively pro‐quiescent downstream target RGS2

BackgroundThe prostaglandin pathway plays an important, but complex, role in human labour. Targeting this pathway to treat preterm labour is not wholly effective nor fully safe. Developing superior clinical approaches requires further understanding of the mechanisms that govern myometrial function in labour.While PGE2 is implicated as a pro‐labour mediator, we have previously shown that it can also promote myometrial smooth muscle (MSM) relaxation. Some of these pro‐quiescent effects may result from PGE2‐mediated upregulation of gene expression. Among the genes highly induced by PGE2 is the regulator of G‐protein signalling 2 (RGS2), which has been shown to selectively turn‐off, Gαq‐coupled, G‐protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. In pregnancy, Gαq‐coupled GPCRs in the MSM, such as the oxytocin receptor, activate uterine contractions in labour in a calcium‐dependent manner. We hypothesize that in the uterus RGS2 can regulate the Gαq‐coupled GPCR signals, that promote contractility giving rise to active labour. By attenuating these signaling pathways, we anticipate that RGS2 promotes quiescence of the uterus and may represent a novel mechanism by which PGE2 regulates uterine function in pregnancy and labour. This mechanism may be clinically relevant in the management of labour.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of PGE2 on RGS2 expression, and examine possible roles for RGS2 in attenuating Gαq‐coupled GPCR contractile functions in primary human MSM cells.MethodsPrimary myometrial smooth muscle cells were isolated from myometrial biopsies from term (37–40 weeks of gestation), non‐labour caesarean section deliveries. Cultured cells were treated with PGE2 (1 μM) to study effects on RGS2 mRNA and protein expression. The effect of RGS2 on calcium flux stimulated by oxytocin (100 nM) or histamine (1 μM) treatment was studied as a measure of contractility, using a Fluo‐4 calcium assay. Results were analyzed using a one‐way ANOVA (Bonferroni post‐hoc).ResultsIn MSM cells PGE2 treatment increased RGS2 mRNA and protein expression. PGE2 treatment of MSM cells also significantly attenuated Gαq‐coupled GPCR‐stimulated calcium flux response to subsequent treatment with maximally effective concentrations of either oxytocin or histamine. This effect was mimicked by adenoviral overexpression of RGS2, supporting the hypothesis that repression of contraction can be caused by RGS2. Knockdown of PGE2‐induced RGS2 with siRNA in MSM cells is underway to confirm whether RGS2 is indeed responsible for the attenuation of histamine and oxytocin calcium signals that is observed in cells pre‐treated with PGE2.ConclusionThese findings support a pro‐quiescent role of PGE2, in part by the protective function of RGS2 attenuating some Gαq‐protein coupled receptor contractile signals. Further investigation is underway to establish to what extent the other aspects of Gαq‐protein coupled receptor signaling that contribute to labour may also be attenuated by RGS2 signals.Support or Funding InformationThis work is supported by the Canadian Institues for Health Research (CIHR), and DU is funded by an Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) MD‐PhD Studentship.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Morphometric and Vascular Modifications of the Clitoris During Pregnancy: A Longitudinal, Pilot Study.

During pregnancy, women go through a series of physical and emotional changes that may have an impact on their sexuality. The aim of the study was to examine modifications in sexual function during pregnancy by means of translabial ultrasonography and administration of questionnaires on sexual activity. Eighteen healthy and adult (25-35years) pregnant women without sexual dysfunction and with a stable heterosexual relationship were examined at 10-12, 18-20, and 30-32weeks of gestation. Patients underwent ultrasonographic translabial clitoral volume and labia minora thickness measurements and color Doppler assessment of the dorsal clitoral and posterior labial arteries. On the same day, each patient completed the two-factor Italian McCoy Female Questionnaire (MFSQ) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The mean clitoral body volume progressively increased during pregnancy, and color Doppler analysis of the dorsal clitoral artery showed a significant decrease in the pulsatility index from the first to the third trimester. Similarly, the labia minora thickness increased and the posterior labial artery pulsatility index progressively decreased throughout gestation. The MFSQ score for sexuality and partnership and the number of intercourses/week did not significantly change during the study period. However, the MFSQ score for partnership reached the lowest value in the third trimester of pregnancy. Analysis of the FSFI data showed no significant differences throughout pregnancy for the majority of the domains (sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, lubrication, and pain), with the exception of the satisfaction item, which decreased during the third trimester. A significant proportion of women are concerned that changes in their body during pregnancy may have a detrimental effect on sexuality. Despite significant changes in genital morphology and vascularity throughout gestation, these modifications do not seem to have an impact on sexual function in pregnancy.