Effects of Intrauterine Growth Restriction During Late Pregnancy on the Development of the Ovine Fetal Thymus and the T-Lymphocyte Subpopulation

Objective.Antibodies that recognize the phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex (antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies; aPS/PT) might reveal enhanced thrombotic risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Little is known about their association with pregnancy complications in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).Methods.We enrolled 55 patients with APS who were seeking pregnancy in 2 Italian hospitals. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), including anticardiolipin antibodies, anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies, lupus-like anticoagulant, and aPS/PT antibodies were assessed, and the patients were prospectively followed for 24 months.Results.There were 65% (36/55) of the APS patients who had aPS/PT antibodies. Forty-seven pregnancies were followed, including 33 of aPS/PT+ patients. Forty-one of the 47 patients (87%) who initiated a pregnancy eventually gave birth to a child. The pregnancy duration and the mean newborn weight at delivery were significantly lower in aPS/PT+ than in aPS/PT− patients (33.1 ± 4.7 vs 36.2 ± 3.4 wks of gestation, respectively, and 2058 ± 964 g vs 2784 ± 746 g, respectively, p < 0.05). Late pregnancy complications, including intrauterine fetal death, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), were more frequent in aPS/PT+ patients, independent of the therapy. Titers of aPS/PT IgG were significantly inversely correlated with the neonatal weight at delivery. Vascular injury, as reflected by thrombosis, fibrinoid necrosis, ischemic and hemorrhagic areas, and presence of chorangiomas characterized the IUGR placentas in the presence of aPS/PT.Conclusion.The aPS/PT antibodies might represent markers of aPL-related pregnancy complications, IUGR/preeclampsia in particular, and could help identify beforehand patients who may require additional treatment.

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VP33.03: Is there a relationship between fetal thymus volume and late intrauterine growth restriction in patients with 15–24 week pregnancies?

Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1002/uog.24503 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 (S1) ◽

pp. 89-312

Author(s):

S. Guven ◽

Z. Dogan ◽

M. Albayrak ◽

S. Guven

Keyword(s):

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Fetal Thymus ◽

Intrauterine Growth

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The effects of intrauterine growth restriction and antenatal glucocorticoids on ovine fetal lung development

Pediatric Research ◽

10.1038/pr.2012.19 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 689-696 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Amy E. Sutherland ◽

Kelly J. Crossley ◽

Beth J. Allison ◽

Graham Jenkin ◽

Euan M. Wallace ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Lung Development ◽

Fetal Lung ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Fetal Lung Development ◽

Ovine Fetal

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Dietary N-carbamylglutamate and rumen-protected L-arginine supplementation during intrauterine growth restriction in undernourished ewes improve fetal thymus development and immune function

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd18047 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (11) ◽

pp. 1522 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hao Zhang ◽

Fangfang Zhao ◽

Haitao Nie ◽

Tiewei Ma ◽

Ziyu Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Function ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

National Research Council ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Fetal Thymus ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Thymus Development ◽

Hu Sheep

The aims of the present study were to determine whether dietary supplementation with N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) and rumen-protected l-arginine (RP-Arg) to underfed Hu sheep would improve fetal thymus development and immune function. From Day 35 to Day 110 of gestation, 32 Hu ewes carrying twin fetuses were randomly allocated to one of four groups (n = 8 per group): 100% National Research Council (NRC)-recommended nutrient requirements (CON), 50% NRC recommendations (RES), 50% NRC recommendations supplemented with 20 g day−1 RP-Arg (RES+ARG), and 50% NRC recommendations supplemented with 5 g day−1 NCG (RES+NCG). Medullary thickness was increased (P < 0.05) in RES compared with CON ewes, but was reduced (P < 0.05) in both RES+ARG and RES+NCG ewes compared with RES ewes. There were no differences in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity or malondialdehyde levels in the RES+ARG and RES+NCG groups compared with the CON group (P > 0.05). Concentrations of IgA, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 in fetal umbilical cord blood were reduced (P < 0.05) in RES compared with CON ewes, but were increased (P < 0.05) in both RES+ARG and RES+NCG ewes. Expression of Bax, Fas and p53 mRNA was increased (P < 0.05) in RES compared with CON ewes, but were reduced (P > 0.05) in both RES+ARG and RES+NCG ewes. These results indicate that dietary supplementation with NCG and RP-Arg could help alleviate the negative effects of intrauterine growth restriction on fetal thymus development and immune function.

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Effects of Dexamethasone on Offspring Survival and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Journal of the Endocrine Society ◽

10.1210/jendso/bvab048.1522 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A748-A749

Author(s):

Noura El Habbal ◽

Molly C Mulcahy ◽

JeAnna R Redd ◽

Dave Bridges

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Lean Mass ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Multiple Time ◽

Maternal Weight ◽

Potential Growth ◽

Intrauterine Growth

Abstract The placenta is the primary organ responsible for deactivating maternal glucocorticoids and reducing fetal exposure. Glucocorticoid use during pregnancy is a common treatment for asthma, allergies, and COVID-19. Several studies have reported adverse effects including intrauterine growth restriction as a result of glucocorticoid exposure, yet little is known about the mechanisms by which short and long-term maternal glucocorticoid exposures affect placental biology and fetal development. To better understand the role of glucocorticoids on placental and fetal outcomes, we used a mouse model exposed to the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dex), prior to and throughout gestation. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in mice with a treatment arm of Dex exposure and water exposure as control. Virgin C57Bl/6J female mice were single-housed at 11 weeks of age, and Dex was introduced in the drinking water as a 1mg/kg/day dose. After one week of treatment, mice were bred with age-matched virgin males. Dam body composition, food, and water intake were monitored weekly. Maternal insulin sensitivity, pup survival rate, litter size, and pup birth weight at postnatal day (PND) 0.5 were also assessed. Dams treated with Dex lost significant lean mass after one week of treatment. Dex treatment did not appear to affect the dams’ ability to get pregnant, as both groups carried pups to term with similar lengths of gestation (p=0.838). Water and Dex-treated dams gained comparable weight during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, however, the Dex group gained less lean mass than the water group during the third trimester. At PND0.5, Dex dams had fewer pups with a 40% reduction in litter size (p=0.01) and lighter pups with a 37% reduction in offspring weight (p<0.001), indicating substantial intrauterine growth restriction. All pups of Dex-treated dams died by PND1. Attempts to rescue pups of Dex-dams by cross-fostering with water-treated nursing dams or by feeding the pups 10% glucose at PND0.5 failed by PND1. These results demonstrate a novel finding regarding the chronic use of glucocorticoids before and during conception and pregnancy. The reduction in both pup weight and late-pregnancy maternal weight gain suggests potential growth restriction or placental insufficiency. Further molecular studies during multiple time points of gestation will help elucidate the mechanisms at play.

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Association Between Fetal Thymus Size and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography ◽

10.1177/87564793211054747 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 875647932110547

Author(s):

Elham Keshavarz ◽

Marjan Rustazade Sheikhyusefi ◽

Ensi Khalili Pouya ◽

Masoumeh Mirzamoradi ◽

Mehdi Khazaei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle Cerebral Artery ◽

Cerebral Artery ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Umbilical Artery ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Control Group ◽

Fetal Thymus ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

The Mean ◽

Thymus Size

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between reduced fetal thymus size and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This study was devised to determine the association between thymus size and any abnormal Doppler indices within the fetal umbilical artery (UA), as well as the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Materials and Methods: Forty-six pregnancies between 20 and 38 weeks of gestation with IUGR and 46 normal pregnancies within similar gestational age (GA) range were included. The transverse diameter of fetal thymus was measured. In the IUGR group, the fetal umbilical artery (UA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler flow velocities were recorded. Results: The mean GA of fetuses with IUGR (33.5 weeks) was higher than control group (30.3 weeks). To adjust for the effect of GA, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed. The adjusted mean thymus diameters were 19.02 mm in IUGR and 21.25 within the control group (mean difference = 2.23 mm; P = .02). The mean (±SD) thymus size in 16 fetuses, with abnormal Doppler findings, was significantly lower than in the group with normal Doppler findings, 17.45 (±2.50) vs 22.02 (±5.39) mm; P < .001. Conclusion: IUGR may be associated with reduced fetal thymus size, especially when coupled with abnormal Doppler findings. The thymus size in a group of IUGR fetuses, with abnormal Doppler findings, was smaller than IUGR fetuses, with normal Doppler findings.

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Effect of intrauterine growth restriction on weight and cellularity of gastrointestinal tract in postnatal lambs

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas07115 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 88 (1) ◽

pp. 107-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Feng Gao ◽

Xianzhi Hou ◽

Yingchun Liu

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Dna Content ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Postnatal Growth ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Control Group ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Restricted Group

This study investigated the effect of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during late pregnancy on weight and cellularity of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in postnatal lambs. Twenty-three Mongolian lambs were entered into the study. Their dams were mated at a synchronized estrus and divided into three groups offered 0.175 MJ ME kg-0.75 d-1 (Restricted Group 1, RG1), 0.33 MJ ME kg-0.75 d-1 (Restricted Group 2, RG2) and Control Group (CG, ad libitum access to feed) during their late pregnancy (90 d), respectively. The lambs were slaughtered at birth (neonatal lambs) and at 28 wk of age. The neonatal abomasum weight, jejunum weight and length, abomasum and jejunum DNA content, and the reticulum protein:DNA ratio were lower for RG1 than those of CG (P < 0.05). At 28 wk of age, there were no significant difference in the weights and lengths of jejunum and the weight of abomasum in the lambs among RG1, RG2 and CG (P > 0.05). However, the rumen and omasum weight, and omasum DNA content were lower for RG1 than for CG (P < 0.05). For the jejunum, the protein:DNA ratios in RG2 were significantly higher than those of CG (P < 0.05). These changes in the weight and cellularity of the GIT may have significant implications on postnatal growth and health. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction, postnatal lambs, gastrointestinal tract, weight, cellularity

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