scholarly journals Polyphenols and IUGR Pregnancies: Effects of the Antioxidant Hydroxytyrosol on Brain Neurochemistry and Development in a Porcine Model

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Natalia Yeste ◽  
Daniel Valent ◽  
Laura Arroyo ◽  
Marta Vázquez-Gómez ◽  
Consolación García-Contreras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Porcine Model ◽  
Immunohistochemical Study ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
Fetal Period ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Gestational Period ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Maternal Supplementation ◽  
The Brain

Supplementation of a mother’s diet with antioxidants, such as hydroxytyrosol (HTX), has been proposed to ameliorate the adverse phenotypes of fetuses at risk of intrauterine growth restriction. In the present study, sows were treated daily with or without 1.5 mg of HTX per kilogram of feed from day 35 of pregnancy (at 30% of total gestational period), and individuals were sampled at three different ages: 100-day-old fetuses and 1-month- and 6-month-old piglets. After euthanasia, the brain was removed and the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex were dissected. The profile of the catecholaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmitters (NTs) was characterized and an immunohistochemical study of the hippocampus was performed. The results indicated that maternal supplementation with HTX during pregnancy affected the NT profile in a brain-area-dependant mode and it modified the process of neuron differentiation in the hippocampal CA1 and GD areas, indicating that cell differentiation occurred more rapidly in the HTX group. These effects were specific to the fetal period, concomitantly with HTX maternal supplementation, since no major differences remained between the control and treated groups in 1-month- and 6-month-old pigs.

The brain development of infants with intrauterine growth restriction: role of glucocorticoids

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-xue Ding ◽  
Hong Cui
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Growth Restrictions ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Brain injury is a serious complication of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), but the exact mechanism remains unclear. While glucocorticoids (GCs) play an important role in intrauterine growth and development, GCs also have a damaging effect on microvascular endothelial cells. Moreover, intrauterine adverse environments lead to fetal growth restriction and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis resetting. In addition, chronic stress can cause a decrease in the number and volume of astrocytes in the hippocampus and glial cells play an important role in neuronal differentiation. Therefore, it is speculated that the effect of GCs on cerebral neurovascular units under chronic intrauterine stimulation is an important mechanism leading to brain injury in infants with growth restrictions.

scholarly journals Brain Sparing Effect on Neurodevelopment in Children with Intrauterine Growth Restriction: A Systematic Review

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
María José Benítez-Marín ◽  
Jesús Marín-Clavijo ◽  
Juan Antonio Blanco-Elena ◽  
Jesús Jiménez-López ◽  
Ernesto González-Mesa
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Academic Difficulties ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Poor Cognitive Function ◽  
Sparing Effect ◽  
The Brain

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a pregnancy complication. Multiple studies have connected FGR to poor cognitive development, behavior disorders, and academic difficulties during childhood. Brain sparing has traditionally been defined as an adaptive phenomenon in which the brain obtains the blood flow that it needs. However, this adaptive phenomenon might not have a complete protective effect. This publication aims to systematically review the consequences of brain redistribution on neurodevelopment in children who presented with placental intrauterine growth restriction. Methods: We performed a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. It included studies on intrauterine growth restriction or small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses, which middle cerebral artery was measured, and neurodevelopment assessed during childhood. PUBMED and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant published studies. Results: Of the 526 studies reviewed, only 12 were included. Brain sparing was associated with poor cognitive function and lower scores in IQ. Cerebral redistribution was related to better executive function and better behavior at 4 years old but not at 12 years old. Conclusions: We can assume that fetal brain sparing could not be a fully protective phenomenon. We could not find clinical differences in behavioral and executive functions because the results were heterogeneous. Some cognitive abilities could be affected in FGR brain sparing fetuses.

scholarly journals Docosahexaenoic Acid and Lactoferrin Effects on the Brain and Placenta in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Illa ◽  
Laura Pla ◽  
Carla Loreiro ◽  
Cristina Miranda ◽  
Montse Mayol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Docosahexaenoic Acid ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Functional Evaluation ◽  
Neurobehavioral Performance ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with suboptimal perinatal outcomes and neurodevelopment in the offspring. We hypothesize that prenatal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or lactoferrin (Lf) would ameliorate these consequences. At 25 days of gestation, IUGR was surgically induced in pregnant rabbits, which were randomized as follows: no treatment, or DHA or Lf administration. DHA or Lf were administrated orally once per day. Five days later, animals were delivered obtaining controls, untreated IUGR, IUGR treated with DHA and IUGR treated with Lf, and the associated placentas. At postnatal day 1, a functional evaluation was performed and, thereafter, brains were obtained. Neuronal arborization in the prefrontal cortex and the density of pre-oligodendrocytes in the corpus callosum were then evaluated. Untreated IUGR pups presented a higher percentage of stillbirth, lower birth weight, and poorer neurobehavioral performance in comparison with control pups, and these are associated with structural changes in brain and placenta. Regarding treated IUGR animals, although no significant improvements were detected in perinatal data, functional and structural effects were observed in either the brain or the placenta. DHA and Lf supplements in a rabbit model of IUGR were related to neurodevelopmental improvements and an amelioration of the placental changes.

scholarly journals The effects of sildenafil citrate on feto–placental development and haemodynamics in a rabbit model of intrauterine growth restriction

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge López-Tello ◽  
María Arias-Álvarez ◽  
Maria-Ángeles Jiménez-Martínez ◽  
Alicia Barbero-Fernández ◽  
Rosa María García-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Sildenafil Citrate ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Brain

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of sildenafil citrate (SC) to improve placental and fetal growth in a diet-induced rabbit model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Pregnant rabbits were fed either ad libitum (Group C) or restricted to 50% of dietary requirements (Group R) or restricted and treated with SC (Group SC). The treatment with SC improved placental development by increasing vascularity and vessel hypertrophy in the decidua. The assessment of feto–placental haemodynamics showed higher resistance and pulsatility indices at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in fetuses treated with SC when compared with Group R, which had increased systolic peak and time-averaged mean velocities at the MCA. Furthermore, fetuses in the SC group had significantly higher biparietal and thoracic diameters and longer crown–rump lengths than fetuses in Group R. Hence, the SC group had a reduced IUGR rate and a higher kit size at birth compared with Group R. In conclusion, SC may provide potential benefits in pregnancies with placental insufficiency and IUGR, partially counteracting the negative effects of food restriction on placental development and fetal growth. However, the present study also found evidence of a possible blood overflow in the brain that warrants further investigation.

The Subplate: A Potential Driver of Cortical Folding?

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 4697-4708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreya Rana ◽  
Rosita Shishegar ◽  
Sebastian Quezada ◽  
Leigh Johnston ◽  
David W Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Cortical Folding ◽  
Smooth Structure ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Dependent Development ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
The Brain

Abstract In many species of Mammalia, the surface of the brain develops from a smooth structure to one with many fissures and folds, allowing for vast expansion of the surface area of the cortex. The importance of understanding what drives cortical folding extends beyond mere curiosity, as conditions such as preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal alcohol syndrome are associated with impaired folding in the infant and child. Despite being a key feature of brain development, the mechanisms driving cortical folding remain largely unknown. In this review we discuss the possible role of the subplate, a developmentally transient compartment, in directing region-dependent development leading to sulcal and gyral formation. We discuss the development of the subplate in species with lissencephalic and gyrencephalic cortices, the characteristics of the cells found in the subplate, and the possible presence of molecular cues that guide axons into, and out of, the overlying and multilayered cortex before the appearance of definitive cortical folds. An understanding of what drives cortical folding is likely to help in understanding the origins of abnormal folding patterns in clinical pathologies.

scholarly journals Differences in the Brain Cortical Thickness and Area of Different Lobes Between Fetuses with Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Controls Based on 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Behnaz Moradi ◽  
Mahboobeh Shirazi ◽  
Zohreh Alibeigi Nezhad ◽  
Nazanin Seyed Saadat ◽  
Hassan Hashemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
The Brain

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a major factor in long-term perinatal morbidity and is associated with abnormal fetal brain development; however, its pattern of brain involvement remains unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of IUGR on the brain parenchyma. Methods: Forty-two women with IUGR pregnancy and 28 women with normally grown fetuses at 28 - 38 weeks of pregnancy underwent 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cortical thickness was assessed in four regions and corrected by the biparietal diameter/2. Also, the whole brain surface area (WBA) was measured, and the areas of six brain regions were calculated and corrected by WBA. Results: In the IUGR group, the cortical thickness in the insula and temporal lobe was significantly thinner than the control group (0.034 vs. 0.043 and 0.036 vs. 0.047, respectively; P < 0.05); these fetuses also showed significantly reduced WBA (P = 0.028). The corrected brain areas were not significantly different between the groups, except for the corrected areas of the cerebellum and the hippocampus, which increased in the IUGR group as compared to the control group (0.147 vs. 0.130 and 0.017 vs. 0.0125, respectively; P < 0.05). Conclusions: In the IUGR fetuses, significantly thinner insular cortex and temporal lobe cortex and smaller WBA were found compared to the control group. Among different brain regions, the cerebellum and the hippocampus were less affected by growth restriction in the antenatal period.

Environmental Effects on the Embryos and Fetuses of Experimental Animals

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-822
Author(s):  
Robert L. Brent
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Malformations ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Fetal Period ◽  
Gestational Period ◽  
The Past ◽  
Environmental Agents ◽  
X Irradiation ◽  
High Doses ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Period Of Gestation

In examining the offspring of experimental animals or man in relation to exposures to environmental agents, account should be taken of certain principles developed over the past five decades. TERATOGENESIS Before the Period of Implantation Experimental embryologic studies have shown that before implantation there is a so-called omnipotential period of development, when all cells have the ability to form a complete embryo. During this interval it is difficult, if not impossible, to induce congenital malformations. This interval extends to 6½ days in the mouse, 8 days in the rat, and about 12 to 13 days in man. Teratogenic Period The interval during which teratogenesis may be induced in man is short relative to the total gestational period, in contrast to the period of susceptibility in the mouse or rat, in which it is about one third of the gestational period. Fetal Period Subsequently, classical teratogens do not produce gross malformations that are easily observable at birth. Exposures to hazardous agents may still produce other effects throughout the later period of gestation, namely, cell deletions or tissue hypoplasia. This is a new area about which we do not yet understand very much, even with respect to high doses. When the mouse embryo is exposed late in gestation to 200 rad, a marked depletion has been observed in the cerebral cortex. This easily visible difference from normal upon inspection of the brain has little effect on behavior. In the same way, x-irradiation of the mouse testes produced hypoplasia, but no defect in morphogenesis.

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