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Induction of controlled hypoxic pregnancy in large mammalian species.


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Authors

Brain, Kirsty L 
Allison, Beth J 
Niu, Youguo 
Cross, Christine M 
Itani, Nozomi 

Abstract

Progress in the study of pregnancy complicated by chronic hypoxia in large mammals has been held back by the inability to measure long-term significant reductions in fetal oxygenation at values similar to those measured in human pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction. Here, we introduce a technique for physiological research able to maintain chronically instrumented maternal and fetal sheep for prolonged periods of gestation under significant and controlled isolated chronic hypoxia beyond levels that can be achieved by habitable high altitude. This model of chronic hypoxia permits measurement of materno-fetal blood gases as the challenge is actually occurring. Chronic hypoxia of this magnitude and duration using this model recapitulates the significant asymmetric growth restriction, the pronounced cardiomyopathy, and the loss of endothelial function measured in offspring of high-risk pregnancy in humans, opening a new window of therapeutic research.

Description

Keywords

Cardiovascular, chronic hypoxia, fetus, pregnancy

Journal Title

Physiol Rep

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2051-817X
2051-817X

Volume Title

3

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
British Heart Foundation (None)
British Heart Foundation (None)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/E002668/1)
This work was supported by The British Heart Foundation and The Royal Society. DG is Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology & Medicine at the Department of Physiology Development & Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, Professorial Fellow and Director of Studies in Medicine at Gonville & Caius College, a Lister Institute Fellow and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award Holder.