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Differential appearance of placentomes and expression of prostaglandin H synthase type 2 in placentome subtypes after betamethasone treatment of sheep late in gestation.

Author(s): Braun T, Li S, Moss TJ, Connor KL, Doherty DA, Nitsos I, Newnham JP, Challis JR, Sloboda DM

Affiliation(s): Department of Physiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, MSB, Rm. 3368, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada. thorsten.braun@charite.de

Publication date & source: 2011-04, Placenta., 32(4):295-303.

Publication type: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Inappropriate fetal exposure to maternal glucocorticoid (GC) has been proposed as a mechanism for fetal programming where the effects of GC may be mediated by the placenta. However, the consequences of maternal GC on placental morphology and enzyme expression are unclear. OBJECTIVES: We used betamethasone (BET) to determine effects on placentome subtype distribution and expression of prostaglandin H synthase type 2 (PGHS-2) enzyme. METHODS: Pregnant sheep carrying male fetuses were randomized to receive injections of saline (n = 30) or one (104 days of gestation, (dG); n = 6), two (104, 111 dG; n = 6) or three (104, 111, 118 dG; n = 11) doses of BET (0.5 mg/kg). Placental tissue was collected prior to (75, 84, 101 dG), during (109, 116 dG) and after BET (122, 132, 146 dG). RESULTS: Total number of placentomes was not different between gestational ages. A- and B-subtypes were most affected by prenatal BET exposure; numbers of A-subtypes were increased and numbers of B-subtypes were decreased compared to controls at 116 dG. At term numbers of A-subtypes were lower after BET, but the weight range distribution was similar to controls. In controls, placental PGHS-2 protein levels increased with gestational age and PGHS-2 localized primarily to uninuclear trophoblast cells. After BET, PGHS-2 protein in C-subtypes at term was significantly increased compared to A-subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal BET treatment in late gestation affects the proportions of placentome subtypes and their differential expression of PGHS-2. Our data do not support previous hypotheses that A-subtypes develop into B-, C- and D-subtypes over the course of gestation. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page last updated: 2011-12-09

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