INCREASE IN THE RESPONSE TO ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIN OF ISOLATED MATERNAL ADRENAL CELLS FROM SHEEP IN LATE PREGNANCY

1980 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. GLICKMAN ◽  
J. E. PATRICK ◽  
J. R. G. CHALLIS
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Maximal Concentration ◽  
Adrenal Cells ◽  
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Pregnant Sheep ◽  
The Absolute

Adrenal cells were prepared from non-pregnant (anoestrous) sheep, from ewes at days 50, 100 and 130 of pregnancy and at term, and from animals at 1–5 days post partum. The ability of the cells to respond to adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH1–24), α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), or combinations of these peptides has been examined in vitro. There was a progressive rise in the basal output of cortisol during pregnancy and in the absence of adrenocorticotrophin the cortisol output from adrenal cells of late pregnant and post-partum sheep was significantly greater than that from the non-pregnant animals. Adrenocorticotrophin increased cortisol output by adrenal cells at all times tested. In anoestrous sheep the amount of ACTH required to produce half the maximum output of steroid (ED50) was 8 pg/ml. The ED50 increased in early pregnancy to 112 pg/ml and then fell to < 5 pg/ml between day 100 and term. At term both the stimulation ratio and the absolute increment in cortisol output elicited by a maximal concentration of ACTH were greater than at any other time tested in pregnant or non-pregnant sheep. Cortisol output during pregnancy was not increased by α-MSH, although at term the stimulatory effect of ACTH1–24 was partially antagonized by α-MSH. These results suggest that there may be an increase in the responsiveness of the maternal adrenal during pregnancy, although the factor(s) responsible remains unknown.

Exploring mood variability in pregnancy and postpartum women

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1090-1090
Author(s):  
A. Bowen ◽  
R. Bowen ◽  
N. Muhajarine
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Mood Variability ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
Childbearing Women ◽  
Irritable Mood

IntroductionEmotional and moody behaviour is often normalized in childbearing women. However, increased mood variability is associated with psychiatric problems (anxiety, depression, personality disorder), which are potentially deleterious to the health of the developing fetus and mother.PurposeTo increase understanding about mood variability in childbearing women.MethodDepression was measured using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Mood variability was calculated from twice-daily diary ratings of “depressed”, “fear”, and “irritable” mood for one week each in early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and postpartum.FindingsWe recruited 47 women. Depression, as measured by the EPDS, and fear mood variability decreased from early pregnancy to postpartum. Depressed and irritable mood variability also declined during pregnancy, but increased in post-partum. Increases in mood variability (depressed, irritable) from late pregnancy to postpartum predicted higher postpartum EPDS. Mood diaries were available from 30 non-parturient women for comparison. Pregnant and postpartum women had higher irritable but not depressed or fear mood variability.ConclusionMood, particularly anxiety, is variable over the course of pregnancy into early postpartum. This may be related to diminishing concerns about the pregnancy and baby's health after birth, sleep disruptions, or hormonal changes. Depressed mood variability is correlated with, but is distinct from depression as measured by the EPDS. We present results counter to the notion that all mood is amplified in childbearing women.

Changes in baroreceptor sensitivity for heart rate during normotensive pregnancy and the puerperium

2000 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie J. BLAKE ◽  
Allison MARTIN ◽  
Brad N. MANKTELOW ◽  
Charles ARMSTRONG ◽  
Aidan W. HALLIGAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pulse Interval ◽  
Normotensive Pregnancy

Normal pregnancy is associated with marked changes in cardiovascular haemodynamics, which in part may be due to changes in autonomic control mechanisms. Baroreflex sensitivity for heart rate (BRS) was calculated in the supine and standing positions using power spectral analysis of pulse interval (PI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in 16 normotensive pregnant women and 10 normotensive non-pregnant controls. The pregnant women were studied on three occasions during their pregnancy (early, mid- and late gestation) and once during the puerperium. Supine total SBP variability increased between early and late pregnancy by 79% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 30%, 145%; P < 0.001], and supine high-frequency PI variability decreased by 75% (CI 51%, 88%; P < 0.001). Supine BRS fell by 50% (P < 0.001), with values returning to early-pregnancy levels in the puerperium, which were similar to those recorded in the control group. Standing SBP variability and BRS values were unchanged during pregnancy and post partum. The low/high frequency ratio of PI variability, taken as a surrogate measure of sympathovagal balance, increased by 137% (CI 42%, 296%; P < 0.01) in the supine but not the standing position from early to late pregnancy. This was due to a decrease in high-frequency variability rather than to an increase in low-frequency variability, suggesting that these changes may have been due to vagal withdrawal rather than increased sympathetic activity. Normotensive pregnancy is associated with a marked decrease in supine BRS, although the exact mechanisms for these changes remain unclear. Further studies are required to define whether changes in BRS and sympathovagal tone in early pregnancy can be used to predict the onset of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Sexual Behaviour of Women With Twin Pregnancies

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Stammler-Safar ◽  
Johannes Ott ◽  
Stefanie Weber ◽  
Elisabeth Krampl
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Twin Pregnancies

AbstractIt has been assumed that sexual activity during pregnancy would lead to an increased risk for miscarriage and other complications of pregnancy. Various studies showed no association of sexual behavior and pregnancy complications in single pregnancies. The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in sexual activity in women with twin pregnancies and whether a higher frequency of sexual intercourse was associated with an increased risk for pregnancy complications. We report on 50 women with twin pregnancies who answered a questionnaire on sexual behavior during pregnancy. At the time of delivery, patients were aged 31.0 ± 4.8 years. All women reported to have had sexual intercourse during pregnancy. In contrast to the first trimester in the vast majority of patients (41/50, 82.0%) the coital frequency decreased in the last month of pregnancy. Patients who had become pregnant after in-vitro fertilization were significantly less likely to have regular sexual intercourse than patients after spontaneous conception during early pregnancy (p= .002). No statistical significances were found when the rates of preterm delivery before the 37th gestational week were compared to the frequencies of sexual intercourse during early pregnancy and during late pregnancy (p>.05). In conclusion, our study demonstrates a decrease in frequency of sexual intercourse from early to late pregnancy in the specific collective of women with twin pregnancies, especially in women after in-vitro fertilization. There was no association between sexual activity and preterm delivery.

Fetal and maternal estrogen concentrations throughout pregnancy in the sheep

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 970-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. G. Challis ◽  
John E. Patrick
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Allantoic Fluid ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Fetal Lung ◽  
Lung Maturation ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Estrogen Production ◽  
Pregnant Sheep

Because of the possible importance of estrogens in events of early pregnancy, and in fetal lung maturation and parturition, we have measured unconjugated estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) concentrations in amniotic fluid (AF) and allantoic fluid (ALF) from pregnant sheep, and have compared these values with estrogen concentrations in the fetal and maternal plasma. Samples were collected under acute conditions of general anaesthesia or from chronically catheterized animals during late pregnancy. E1 always exceeded E2 in AF and ALF. On days 100 to term, the concentrations of E1 sulphate in AF and ALF greatly exceeded those of E1 but decreased towards term. E1 was elevated in AF on day 50, decreased to day 100, and in chronic preparations increased significantly before birth, at the time of the prepartum rise in E1 in maternal and fetal plasma. E1 in ALF was higher than in AF on days 50 and 100, but no consistent pattern of E1 in ALF with gestation was established, due in part to substantial interanimal variation. Similar concentrations of E2 were found in AF and ALF. In AF, E2 rose significantly before birth, with a similar time course to the prepartum rise in E2 in maternal and fetal plasma. In early pregnancy, the ratio E1/E2 in umbilical cord blood was higher than in all other compartments. We conclude (1) there is evidence for estrogen production in early pregnancy (day 50), favouring E1; (2) E1 predominates over E2 in the fetal as well as maternal compartment, although its concentration in amniotic and allantoic fluid is substantially less than E1S; (3) parturition is preceeded by rising concentrations of E1 and E2 in AF as well as in maternal and fetal plasma; and (4) this increase probably reflects rising fetoplacental production and may indicate increasing estrogen availability to the fetal membranes, uterine and fetal tissues around the time of birth.

ACTIVITY OF STEROID C-17,20 LYASE IN THE OVINE PLACENTA: EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TO FOETAL GLUCOCORTICOID

1976 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
PENELOPE A. STEELE ◽  
A. P. F. FLINT ◽  
A. C. TURNBULL
Keyword(s):  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Peripheral Circulation ◽  
Ovine Placenta ◽  
Spontaneous Onset

SUMMARY Microsomal fractions isolated from post-partum ovine placentae catalysed the synthesis of [3H]oestrone and [3H]oestradiol from [3H]17α-hydroxyprogesterone and NADPH; oestrone and oestradiol were formed in a ratio of approximately 50:1. The expected intermediate, [3H]androstenedione, did not accumulate during these incubations but was shown by trapping experiments to be the intermediate involved. Mean ( ± s.d.) yields of [3H]oestrone (% conversion of substrate) during incubation for 1 h of placentae from five animals in late pregnancy before the onset of labour, from five animals which delivered spontaneously at term and from four animals in which labour was induced by administration of dexamethasone to the foetus were: in tissue obtained before labour, 3·2 ± 0·44; in tissue obtained after the spontaneous onset of labour, 20·6 ± 10·2 (P < 0·01) and in tissue obtained after dexamethasone-induced labour, 24·4 ± 2·13 (P < 0·001). This increase in oestrone synthesis suggests activation of steroid C-17,20 lyase, since this is the step limiting the rate of synthesis of oestrone in vitro. The enzyme is probably activated by foetal glucocorticoid. The findings are discussed in relation to the site of synthesis of oestrogens which in the sheep increase in concentration in the peripheral circulation at term, and with reference to a possible mechanism by which foetal glucocorticoid may control the onset of labour in this species.

Studies on the metabolism of the ruminant by indirect calorimetry. II. The influence of pregnancy on the energy exchange of the goat

1924 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Magee
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Indirect Calorimetry ◽  
Energy Exchange ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Pregnant Animal ◽  
A Value ◽  
Steady Rate ◽  
Increased Activity

The total metabolism of the pregnant goat remains at a steady rate from the 4th to the end of the 13th week of pregnancy. It increases steadily from the 14th to the 21st week, when a value is attained about 50 per cent, above the rate at the 14th week. Just before delivery the rate drops slightly. The increased metabolism is due partly to the increase in the mass of active protoplasm and partly to the stimulus exerted by the growing ovum on the maternal tissues. This stimulus tends to fall off slightly in intensity in early pregnancy and increases markedly in late pregnancy.Post partum the total metabolism drops suddenly and continues to fall until the end of the 5th week; but the metabolism per unit of weight increases steadily until the 4th week and then declines. This increased activity of the maternal protoplasm is due to the processes of involution and repair.In early pregnancy the increasing intra-abdominal pressure cuts short fermentation of food and causes the R.Q. to be higher in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant animal. As the pressure increases it begins to impede slightly the evacuation of the rumen so that the food ferments more thoroughly and the R.Q. falls slightly. After parturition the low intra-abdominal pressure aggravated by the laxity of the abdominal walls allows the food to remain longer in the rumen so that fermentation is more thorough and the R.Q. lower than in late pregnancy.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Novel Standardized Platelet Rich Plasma Releasates on Knee Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes and Cartilage in vitro

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 920-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucía Gato-Calvo ◽  
Tamara Hermida-Gómez ◽  
Cristina R. Romero ◽  
Elena F. Burguera ◽  
Francisco J. Blanco
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Cartilage Explants ◽  
Ex Vivo Model ◽  
Chondrocyte Viability ◽  
Platelet Concentration ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Background: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has recently emerged as a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), but composition heterogeneity hampers comparison among studies, with the result that definite conclusions on its efficacy have not been reached. Objective: 1) To develop a novel methodology to prepare a series of standardized PRP releasates (PRP-Rs) with known absolute platelet concentrations, and 2) To evaluate the influence of this standardization parameter on the anti-inflammatory properties of these PRP-Rs in an in vitro and an ex vivo model of OA. Methods: A series of PRPs was prepared using the absolute platelet concentration as the standardization parameter. Doses of platelets ranged from 0% (platelet poor plasma, PPP) to 1.5·105 platelets/µl. PRPs were then activated with CaCl2 to obtain releasates (PRP-R). Chondrocytes were stimulated with 10% of each PRP-R in serum-free culture medium for 72 h to assess proliferation and viability. Cells were co-stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β (5 ng/ml) and 10% of each PRP-R for 48 h to determine the effects on gene expression, secretion and intra-cellular content of common markers associated with inflammation, catabolism and oxidative stress in OA. OA cartilage explants were co-stimulated with IL-1β (5 ng/ml) and 10% of either PRP-R with 0.75·105 platelets/µl or PRP-R with 1.5·105 platelets/µl for 21 days to assess matrix inflammatory degradation. Results: Chondrocyte viability was not affected, and proliferation was dose-dependently increased. The gene expression of all pro-inflammatory mediators was significantly and dose-independently reduced, except for that of IL-1β and IL-8. Immunoblotting corroborated this effect for inducible NO synthase (NOS2). Secreted matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) was reduced to almost basal levels by the PRP-R from PPP. Increasing platelet dosage led to progressive loss to this anti-catabolic ability. Safranin O and toluidine blue stains supported the beneficial effect of low platelet dosage on cartilage matrix preservation. Conclusion: We have developed a methodology to prepare PRP releasates using the absolute platelet concentration as the standardization parameter. Using this approach, the composition of the resulting PRP derived product is independent of the donor initial basal platelet count, thereby allowing the evaluation of its effects objectively and reproducibly. In our OA models, PRP-Rs showed antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-catabolic properties. Platelet enrichment could favor chondrocyte proliferation but is not necessary for the above effects and could even be counter-productive.

scholarly journals Changes in physical activity across pregnancy among Chinese women: a longitudinal cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Lü ◽  
Yahui Feng ◽  
Shuai Ma ◽  
Yu Jiang ◽  
Liangkun Ma
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Central China ◽  
Dominant Form ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Abstract Background Sufficient physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is beneficial for a woman’s health; however, the PA levels of Chinese women at different pregnancy stages are not clear. The aim of our study was to investigate PA changes during pregnancy and the association of population characteristics with PA change among Chinese women. Methods Data were obtained from 2485 participants who were enrolled in the multicentre prospective Chinese Pregnant Women Cohort Study. PA level was assessed in early pregnancy (mean = 10, 5–13 weeks of gestation) and again in mid-to-late pregnancy (mean = 32, 24–30 weeks of gestation) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Sufficient PA (≥ 600 MET min/week) in early pregnancy and insufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated decreasing PA. Insufficient PA in early pregnancy and sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated increasing PA. The associations between demographic, pregnancy and health characteristics and PA changes were examined by multivariable logistic regression. Results Total energy expenditure for PA increased significantly from early (median = 396 MET min/week) to mid-to-late pregnancy (median = 813 MET min/week) (P < 0.001), and 55.25% of the participants eventually had sufficient PA. Walking was the dominant form of PA. Women with sufficient PA levels in early pregnancy were more likely to have sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy (OR 1.897, 95% CI 1.583–2.274). Women in West China and those in Central China were most and least likely, respectively, to have increasing PA (OR 1.387, 95% CI 1.078–1.783 vs. OR 0.721, 95% CI 0.562–0.925). Smoking was inversely associated with increasing PA (OR 0.480, 95% CI 0.242–0.955). Women with higher educational levels were less likely to have decreasing PA (OR 0.662, 95% CI 0.442–0.991). Conclusions PA increased as pregnancy progressed, and walking was the dominant form of PA among Chinese women. Further research is needed to better understand correlates of PA change.

scholarly journals Co-culture of monocytes and zona fasciculata adrenal cells: An in vitro model to study the immune-adrenal cross-talk

2021 ◽  
Vol 526 ◽  
pp. 111195
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Fudulu ◽  
George Horn ◽  
Georgina Hazell ◽  
Anne-Marie Lefrançois-Martinez ◽  
Antoine Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Talk ◽  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Zona Fasciculata ◽  
Adrenal Cells ◽  
Vitro Model
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