Pre-implantation exogenous progesterone and pregnancy in sheep. II. Effects on fetal-placental development and nutrient transporters in late pregnancy

Abstract Background Administration of progesterone (P4) to ewes during the first 9 to 12 days of pregnancy accelerates blastocyst development by day 12 of pregnancy, likely due to P4-induced up-regulation of key genes in uterine epithelia responsible for secretion and transport of components of histotroph into the uterine lumen. This study determined if acceleration of blastocyst development induced by exogenous P4 during the pre-implantation period affects fetal-placental development on day 125 of pregnancy. Suffolk ewes (n = 35) were mated to fertile rams and assigned randomly to receive daily intramuscular injections of either corn oil vehicle (CO, n = 18) or 25 mg progesterone in CO (P4, n = 17) for the first 8 days of pregnancy. All ewes were hysterectomized on day 125 of pregnancy and: 1) fetal and placental weights and measurements were recorded; 2) endometrial and placental tissues were analyzed for the expression of candidate mRNAs involved in nutrient transport and arginine metabolism; and 3) maternal plasma, fetal plasma, allantoic fluid, and amniotic fluid were analyzed for amino acids, agmatine, polyamines, glucose, and fructose. Results Treatment of ewes with exogenous P4 did not alter fetal or placental growth, but increased amounts of aspartate and arginine in allantoic fluid and amniotic fluid, respectively. Ewes that received exogenous P4 had greater expression of mRNAs for SLC7A1, SLC7A2, SLC2A1, AGMAT, and ODC1 in endometria, as well as SLC1A4, SLC2A5, SLC2A8 and ODC1 in placentomes. In addition, AZIN2 protein was immunolocalized to uterine luminal and glandular epithelia in P4-treated ewes, whereas AZIN2 localized only to uterine luminal epithelia in CO-treated ewes. Conclusions This study revealed that exogenous P4 administered in early pregnancy influenced expression of selected genes for nutrient transporters and the expression of a protein involved in polyamine synthesis on day 125 of pregnancy, suggesting a ‘programming’ effect of P4 on gene expression that affected the composition of nutrients in fetal-placental fluids.

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Short-term fluctuations in the concentration of cortisol and progesterone in fetal plasma, maternal plasma, and amniotic and allantoic fluids from sheep during late pregnancy

Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1139/y81-041 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

pp. 261-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

J. R. G. Challis ◽

J. E. Patrick ◽

Jill Cross ◽

J. Workewych ◽

E. Manchester ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Allantoic Fluid ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Significant Rise ◽

Short Term ◽

Fetal Plasma ◽

Two Fluids ◽

Paired Samples ◽

Steroid Profiles

Fluctuations in the concentrations of cortisol and progesterone in fetal plasma, maternal plasma, and amniotic and allantoic fluids were measured in samples taken at 10-min intervals over a 90-min period from three groups of sheep sampled at different times during late pregnancy. During the last 30 days of gestation there was a significant rise in the mean concentration of cortisol in fetal plasma and amniotic fluid and a significant correlation between the cortisol concentration in these two fluids. The concentration of cortisol in allantoic fluid exceeded that in amniotic fluid. The concentration of cortisol in fetal plasma varied in a pulsatile manner; however the coefficient of variation (CV) within animals was greater (36%) on days −11 to −20, relative to the day of parturition (day 0), than on days −21 to −30 or days −5 to 0 (15–19%). The CV values for cortisol in amniotic fluid and maternal plasma during the last 30 days of pregnancy were 20–50% and two to five times greater than the intraassay CV. The concentration of progesterone in amniotic fluid increased after day −20 but was not correlated with that in maternal plasma or fetal plasma. The concentrations of progesterone in paired samples of amniotic fluid and allantoic fluid were similar. The CV values for progesterone (18–34%) were similar in fetal and maternal plasma and amniotic fluid and did not change significantly during late pregnancy. Changes in the concentration of progesterone were unrelated to changes in cortisol. Interpretation of steroid profiles in fetal plasma and fluids through late pregnancy should take into account these short-term fluctuations in hormone concentrations.

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Distribution of alpha1-fetoprotein in fetal plasma, allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid and maternal plasma of cows

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/jrf.0.0570235 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 235-238 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

K. M. Smith ◽

P. C. W. Lai ◽

H. A. Robertson ◽

R. B. Church ◽

F. L. Lorscheider

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Allantoic Fluid ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Fetal Plasma

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Endocrine and fluid-balance responses to amniotic and allantoic fluid loss in sheep

AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpregu.1990.259.4.r745 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 259 (4) ◽

pp. R745-R752 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

K. A. Dickson ◽

S. B. Hooper ◽

I. C. McMillen ◽

R. Harding

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Fluid Balance ◽

Arginine Vasopressin ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Plasma Osmolality ◽

Allantoic Fluid ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Fetal Plasma ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

Urine Production

Our aim was to determine fetal and maternal endocrine and fluid-balance responses to prolonged loss of amniotic and allantoic fluids in sheep. In seven sheep, amniotic and allantoic fluids were drained [379.1 +/- 20.1 (SE) ml/day] from 107 to 135.3 +/- 0.6 days of gestation (term: 145 days). The results from these sheep were compared with those from seven control sheep. Maternal water intake, urine production, and urine osmolality were not altered by fluid drainage, nor were fetal and maternal arterial blood gases, pH, or plasma osmolalities. Fluid drainage increased amniotic, but not allantoic, fluid osmolality. Maternal plasma cortisol concentration increased with fluid drainage, but maternal plasma concentrations of prolactin and arginine vasopressin were unchanged. Fluid drainage increased prolactin concentrations in fetal plasma and amniotic fluid, but fetal plasma concentrations of cortisol (hydrocortisone), arginine vasopressin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine were unchanged. Our results show that the fetus is capable of maintaining its plasma osmolality despite prolonged loss of fluid from its amniotic and allantoic sacs and that this is associated with alterations in the production rate and the composition of amniotic fluid.

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Increase in the concentration of immunoreactive endothelin in human pregnancy

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1290301 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 129 (2) ◽

pp. 301-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

I. Iwata ◽

T. Takagi ◽

K. Yamaji ◽

O. Tanizawa

Keyword(s):

Detection Limit ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Vaginal Delivery ◽

Umbilical Artery ◽

Umbilical Vein ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Fetal Plasma ◽

The Mean

ABSTRACT Maternal plasma concentrations of immunoreactive endothelin (ir-ET) during pregnancy, labour and after birth were measured by radioimmunoassay. Concentrations of ir-ET in the umbilical artery, umbilical vein, amniotic fluid and neonatal urine were also examined. The mean (± s.e.m.) plasma ir-ET concentration in early pregnancy (4–7 weeks) was 13·7±0·5 pmol/l, which was significantly higher than that in non-pregnant women (5·9±0·3 pmol/l). During pregnancy, plasma ir-ET concentrations gradually decreased to a minimum of 11·5±0·4 pmol/l in weeks 20–23, and then increased again towards term (12·5±0·4 pmol/l after 36 weeks of pregnancy). In women undergoing vaginal delivery, the mean plasma ir-ET concentration (17·1±0·7 pmol/l) increased significantly, compared with that in late pregnancy. After delivery, the plasma ir-ET concentration decreased abruptly to 4·0±0·2 pmol/l on the first day. Plasma ir-ET concentrations in umbilical vessels were significantly higher than those in maternal plasma. In addition, concentrations in the umbilical artery were significantly higher than those in the umbilical vein in cases of vaginal delivery. Concentrations of ir-ET in amniotic fluid were much higher than those in maternal or fetal plasma. ir-ET concentrations in neonatal urine on day 1 after birth were below the detection limit (< 0·1 pmol/l) by radioimmunoassay in 70% of the cases examined but on day 5 after birth ir-ET was present at measurable concentrations in all cases. It is suggested that endothelin may act as a circulating hormone during pregnancy and labour in both maternal and fetal circulations. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 301–307

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Thyroid and parathyroid-independent increase in plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D during late pregnancy in the rat

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1160381 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 116 (3) ◽

pp. 381-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

T. M. Nguyen ◽

A. Halhali ◽

H. Guillozo ◽

M. Garabedian ◽

S. Balsan

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Placental Transfer ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Vitamin D Metabolites ◽

Pregnant Rats ◽

Dihydroxyvitamin D ◽

Fetal Plasma ◽

And Control

ABSTRACT The effect of thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTX) on the plasma concentrations of the vitamin D metabolites (25-(OH)D, 24,25-(OH)2D and 1,25-(OH)2D) has been studied in pregnant rats and their fetuses during the last quarter of gestation. Maternal and fetal vitamin D metabolites were not significantly affected by TPTX. A significant increase in plasma 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations was observed in both TPTX and control mothers and fetuses from days 19 to 21. Fetal and maternal plasma 25-(OH)D were positively correlated in both control and TPTX groups. Such a correlation was also found for 24,25-(OH)2D in the two groups. In contrast, a positive correlation between maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D was found in TPTX but not in control rats. These data suggest that major alterations in calcium metabolism, such as that produced by maternal TPTX, are insufficient to affect the changes in maternal and fetal plasma 1,25-(OH)2D during late pregnancy significantly. They also suggest that parathyroid hormone, thyroxine, and/or calcitonin may control a possible placental transfer of 1,25-(OH)2D in the rat. J. Endocr. (1988) 116, 381–385

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Atrial natriuretic factor in maternal and fetal sheep

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.1987.252.2.e279 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 252 (2) ◽

pp. E279-E282 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. Y. Cheung ◽

D. M. Gibbs ◽

R. A. Brace

Keyword(s):

Atrial Natriuretic Factor ◽

Allantoic Fluid ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Fetal Kidney ◽

Fetal Sheep ◽

Fetal Plasma ◽

Natriuretic Factor ◽

Pregnant Sheep ◽

Fetal Urine ◽

Atrial Natriuretic

To determine atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) concentrations in the circulation and body fluids of adult pregnant sheep and their fetuses, pregnant ewes were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, and the fetuses were exteriorized for sampling. ANF concentration, as measured by radioimmunoassay, was 47 +/- 6 (SE) pg/ml in maternal plasma, which was significantly higher than the 15 +/- 3 pg/ml in maternal urine. In the fetus, plasma ANF concentration was 265 +/- 49 pg/ml, 5.6 times that in maternal plasma. No umbilical arterial and venous difference in ANF concentration was observed. Fetal urine ANF concentration (13 +/- 2 pg/ml) was significantly lower than that in fetal plasma, and was similar to that measured in amniotic and allantoic fluid. In chronically catheterized maternal and fetal sheep, fetal plasma ANF was again 5.1 times that in maternal plasma, and these levels were not different from those measured in acutely anesthetized animals. These results demonstrate that immunoreactive ANF is present in the fetal circulation at levels higher than those found in the mother. The low concentration of ANF in fetal urine suggests that ANF is probably metabolized and/or reabsorbed by the fetal kidney.

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Determination of insulin-like growth factor-2 in feto-maternal circulation during human pregnancy

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.1270359 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 127 (4) ◽

pp. 359-365 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Toshiro Kubota ◽

Shusaku Kamada ◽

Makoto Taguchi ◽

Takeshi Aso

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Umbilical Vein ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Main Peak ◽

Gel Chromatography ◽

High Concentration ◽

Maternal Circulation ◽

Human Pregnancy ◽

Fetal Plasma

In order to clarify the roles of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on the human maternal-fetal environment, IGF-2 and IGF-1 levels were investigated in human plasma and amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Initially, new radio-immunoassay (RIA) systems for human IGF-2 could be developed. The sensitivity of this assay was 17.5 pg/tube and the cross-reactivity with IGF-1 was 0.64%. The pattern of change of maternal plasma IGF-2 in early pregnancy differed from that of IGF-1, but both IGF levels increased progressively in the second half of gestation, and decreased to non-pregnancy levels in the puerperium. Maternal levels of IGF-2 were approximately seven times greater than those of IGF-1. The ratio of IGF-2 to IGF-1 was 3.2 in amniotic fluid. The IGF concentrations in amniotic fluid obtained in the second trimester were significantly greater than those of term specimens, and closely related to those of prolactin (PRL) in amniotic fluid. The highest IGF-2 to IGF-1 ratio (1 5.9) was found in umbilical vein plasma. On Sephadex G-150 gel-chromatography of maternal and fetal plasma at term, two apparent peaks of unsaturated IGF-2 binding protein (BP) could be detected in both 150 and 40 kilo dalton (kD) regions. One main peak of unsaturated IGF-2 BP could be determined in the 40 kD region in the amniotic fluid at term. High concentration of IGF-2 could be detected in feto-maternal circulation during human pregnancy. Moreover, it is strongly suggested that the releasing systems of IGFs in amniotic fluid are different from those in maternal or umbilical circulation.

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THE CONCENTRATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN F2α IN MATERNAL PLASMA, FOETAL PLASMA AND AMNIOTIC FLUID DURING PREGNANCY IN WOMEN

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0790589 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 79 (3) ◽

pp. 589-597 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

D. A. Johnson ◽

P. A. Manning ◽

J. F. Hennam ◽

J. R. Newton ◽

W. P. Collins

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Prostaglandin F2α ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Uterine Contractions ◽

Prostaglandin F ◽

Serial Samples ◽

Considerable Individual Variation ◽

Venous Plasma

ABSTRACT The concentration of prostaglandin F2α has been determined in serial samples of peripheral venous plasma from women at defined times during labour, and studied in detail throughout two consecutive uterine contractions. In addition, the same compound has been measured in single samples of uterine venous plasma, cord venous plasma, and amniotic fluid in groups of patients during early and late pregnancy, labour and at delivery of the baby. The results from the analysis of peripheral venous plasma show that there is considerable individual variation in the concentration of prostaglandin F2α during labour (mean ± sd, 33.1 ± 11.6 pg/ml). However, it is not possible to establish a definite correlation with either the latent or accelerated phases or with the time of delivery. Furthermore, there is no apparent temporal relationship between the concentrations in peripheral venous plasma and the contractile state of the uterus as assessed by external tocography. In early pregnancy (16th to 20th week) the concentration of prostaglandin F2α (pg/ml, mean ± sd) in peripheral venous plasma is 26.3 ± 4.3 and in amniotic fluid 32.7 ± 26.5. At the 36th week to the start of labour the corresponding values are 27.1 ± 8.1 and 110.0 ± 73.8. At the same time the levels in cord plasma and uterine venous plasma are 100.4 ± 74.9 and 87.9 ± 55.0 respectively. During labour there is a significant increase (P < 0.005, Student's t-test) in the concentration in amniotic fluid (335.1 ± 171.0). The results are discussed in relation to the possible role of prostaglandin F2α in the process of parturition.

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Dynamic Changes of Metabolite Profiles in Maternal Biofluids During Gestation Period in Huanjiang Mini-Pigs

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.636943 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Qian Zhu ◽

Peifeng Xie ◽

Huawei Li ◽

Francois Blachier ◽

Yulong Yin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Biochemical Parameters ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Allantoic Fluid ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Fluid Concentration ◽

Mini Pigs

The biochemical parameters related to nitrogenous metabolism in maternal biofluids may be linked and even reflect the fetal metabolism and growth. The present study have measured the concentrations of various parameters related to amino acid (AA) and lipid metabolism, as well as different metabolites including the free AAs in maternal plasma and amniotic and allantoic fluid corresponding to fetuses with different body weight (BW) during different gestation periods, in order to identify the possible relationships between biochemical parameters and fetal growth. A total of 24 primiparous Huanjiang mini-pigs were fed with a standard diet. Data showed that, from day 45 to day 110 of gestation, the maternal plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin (ALB), Ile, Orn, Car, α-ABA, and β-AiBA increased (P < 0.05); while the levels of ammonia (AMM), choline esterase (CHE), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), Leu, Glu, Cys, Asp, and Hypro decreased (P < 0.05). From day 45 to 110 of gestation, the amniotic fluid levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), CHE, total protein (TP), and urea nitrogen (UN) increased (P < 0.05), as well as the level of CHE and TP and concentration of Pro in allantoic fluid; while the amniotic fluid concentrations of Arg, Glu, Orn, Pro, and Tau decreased (P < 0.05), as well as allantoic fluid concentrations of Arg and Glu. At day 45 of gestation, the amniotic fluid concentrations of Arg, Orn, and Tau corresponding to the highest BW (HBW) fetuses were higher (P < 0.05), whereas the allantoic fluid concentrations of His and Pro were lower (P < 0.05) when compared with the lowest BW (LBW) fetuses. At day 110 of gestation, the amniotic fluid concentration of Tau corresponding to the HBW fetuses was higher (P < 0.05) than the LBW fetuses. These findings show that the sows display increased protein utilization and decreased lipid metabolism and deposition from day 75 to 110 of gestation. In addition, our data are indicative of a likely stronger ability of HBW fetuses to metabolize protein; and finally of a possible key role of Arg, Gln, Glu, Pro, Tau, and His for the fetal growth and development.

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HUMAN PLACENTAL TRANSFER OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE-I125

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.48.4.534 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 534-539

Author(s):

Katherine C. King ◽

Peter A. J. Adam ◽

Robert Schwartz ◽

Kari Teramo

Keyword(s):

Growth Hormone ◽

Plasma Concentration ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Human Growth Hormone ◽

Anterior Pituitary ◽

Placental Transfer ◽

Human Growth ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Fetal Plasma ◽

Arterial Plasma

At term, human growth hormone (HGH) does not cross the human placenta: therefore, the source of HGH in the fetal plasma is the fetal pituitary. In order to determine whether the fetal pituitary is also the only source of HGH secretion early in gestation, the maternofetal transfer of HGH-I125 was evaluated in four pregnant women receiving legal therapeutic abortions by abdominal hysterotomy. The plasma concentration of HGH-I125 was maintained until fetal delivery by a continuous infusion of the labeled hormone at 20 µc/hr for 170 to 225 minutes; and the plasma HGH-I125 concentration was determined by a specific immunoprecipitation. Even with maternal plasma levels of radioactive HGH between 875 and 1287 cpm/ml, no HGH-I125 was detected in either umbilical venous or arterial plasma, or in the amniotic fluid. As at term, no human placental transfer of HGH-I125 occurs early in gestation. Since the fetal hypophysis synthesizes, secretes, and stores HGH as early as 9 weeks in gestation, the fetal anterior pituitary apparently is the only source of HGH available to the human fetus.

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