Placental Fetal Circulation Research Articles

Immunohistological features of the collagen formation in ovaries of fetuses from mothers with a physiological pregnancy on different gestational terms

The comprehensive study on the fetal ovaries allowed us to disclose main features of the collagen synthesis in different organ’s components relatively to the gestational term of fetus. We have studied the ovaries’ structure in case of fetuses, who died both antenatally and intranatally. The mothers of fetuses, according to the medical documentation, were healthy. As a reason of the fetuses death we can name an acute violation of the utero-placental as well as placental-fetal circulation. According to the specific features of the organs’ development, all fetuses were divided into groups: 21-28 weeks, 29-36 weeks, 37-40 weeks. The research methods: macroscopic, morphometric, histological, immunohistochemical, statistical.
 We have described a histological structure of the ovaries as well as we have postulated, that this structure corresponds completely with the physiological norm in every term of gestation. By applying the immunohistochemical method we have postulated, that the collagen of the I type prevails in the collagen structure of the connective tissue of fetal organs. It is manifested as an intensive glow. As the same time, the collagen of the III type is manifested as the small foci of moderate intensity. There are two types of collagens in the walls of blood vessels: IV and III ones. Moreover, we can preferably notice the collagen of the IV type. The collagen of the III type, at the same time, is manifested by foci with a low intensity of glow. All specific features of the collagen formation in the structure of the connective tissue, that were described above, are the same with ones which are corresponding with the physiological norm. The histological and immunohistochemical features of the ovaries’ structure, in case of fetuses from the study groups, could be applied as a comparison in a study on the organs’ structure in case of fetuses from mothers with a complicated pregnancy.

Immunohistochemical features of the structure of fetuses’ uterus with a gestational term of 21-28 weeks from mothers, whose pregnancy is complicated by chronic infection of the lower genital tract

The relevance of the following article is prescribed by the growing number of perinatal mortality and morbidity among newborns due to the mother’s chronic infection of the lower genital tract (HILGT). It is commonly known, that HILGT contributes to the delay of the fetal development likewise is often manifested by the violation of internal organs and systems implementation. One of the most acute topic is the the fetus’ reproductive system in ther early gestation terms. However, the immunohistochemical features of the fetuses’ uterus structure with the gestational term of 21-28 weeks from mothers with HILGT on the current stage of the medical science develpment have not been described yet. The aim of the current research is to identify immunohistochemical features of the fetuses’ uterus structure with the term of gestation of 21-28 weeks from mothers, whose pregnancy is complicated by HILGT. Material of the research: 25 fetuses from mothers, whose course of pregnancy was physiological (group of comparison) as well as 25 fetuses from mothers, whose pregnancy was complicated by HILGT (main group). All fetuses had died intranatally, as a result of acute uterine placental and placental-fetal circulation. Research methods: organometric, histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric, statistical. The research results and their discussion: the organometric parameters of the fetuses’ uterus from the main group were clearily decreased in comparison to such parameters in case of the group of comparison. The decrease of the parameter of the uterine wall thickness of fetuses from mothers with the complicated pregnancy prescribes thinning of the main structural components. Namely: endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium. In case of endometrium of fetuses’ uterus a decrease of number of glands and the lack of their functional activity was noticed. It characterizes this layer as structurally immature.At the same time, in case of fetal organs of fetuses from mothers with complicated pregnancies, we could notice an increase in the number of apoptotically altered cells. Comparing to the structure of layers of uterine walls in case of fetuses from mothers with physiological pregnancy, in the uterus of fetuses from mothers with complicated pregnancy our attention is attracted by a massive growth of the connective tissue. In the myometrium it contributes to the disruption of the muscle fibers strusture likewise to its absence in some areas. By the immunohistochemical method it was possible to reveal a prevalence of the collagen of the III type in the structure of connective tissue likewise in the walls of blood vessels. It is connected primarily with disruption of the collagen’ maturation. The vascular component of the uterine wall in case of fetuses from mothers with HILGT differs from ones in case of fetuses from mothers with physiological pregnancy. This difference is grounded on the increase of endothelin-producing activity by vessels of both arterial and venous types. By processing preparations by monoclonal antibodies to estrogen, it has been postulated, that the intensity of the reaction as well as number of cells in the fetuses’ organs of the main group are clearily decreased comparing to ones in cases of fetuses from the group of comparison. The disorders of the fetuses’ uterus in case of fetuses from mothers with HILGT, that were provided in the current article, are prescribed by chronic hypoxia, endocrine disorders as well as influences of the infectious agents, that are taking place in case of such pathology. The characteristic features of the fetuses’ uterus structure in case of fetuses from mothers, whose pregnancy is complicated by HILGT, indicate gross violation in the organ’s implementation on the early stages of the fetal organogenesis, likewise they could be a leading link of pathogenesis of primary infertility’ development in the future ontogenesis.

FIRS: Neonatal considerations

Fetal Inflammatory Response Syndrome (FIRS) is the fetal counterpart of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) described in adults. When the fetus is directly exposed to inflammation of the fetal membranes or the placental-fetal circulation, and organs are adversely affected, the disorder is known as FIRS. This syndrome can significantly affect multiple organs with significant short and long term implications for the newborn. In cases of neonatal encephalopathy when no obvious etiology is identified, FIRS needs to be considered. Based on the significant incidence of chorioamnionitis and its potential effects on the newborn, any evidence of maternal, fetal, or neonatal infection should mandate further evaluation of the placenta and membrane histopathology.

Docosahexaenoic Acid Sources for the Developing Brain during Intrauterine Life

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22: 6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20: 4n-6) provision to the developing fetus, with emphasis towards brain and vascular system growth, is a subject of increasing concern particularly under pathological conditions associated with premature birth or in utero growth restriction following obstruction of the maternal-fetal blood flow. Most of DHA, but also AA accretion under physiological conditions, is maternally dependent and requires adequate maternal nutrition and normally functioning placental-fetal circulation. It has been demonstrated that unlike other fatty acids (FA), DHA is preferentially transported across the placenta into the fetal circulation. The selective transplacental DHA transfer is probably mediated by specific carrier proteins. While some of the latter may be acting in fetal organs, the mechanism(s) for the selective accumulation of DHA in brain is still unknown. The fetal brain and also the fetal liver are capable of producing DHA from linolenic (LnA, 18:3 n-3) acid. How effective this local elongation-desaturation mechanism for DHA provision is and to what degree this route is activated in premature births is not clear. Transfer of DHA via the fetal gastrointestinal tract is an additional route to provide DHA to other fetal organs. As indicated by animal model studies, it holds the potential for DHA supply when the maternal pathway is compromised.