Effects of chronic fetal hyperinsulinemia on plasma arachidonic acid and prostaglandin concentrations

Article Abstract:

Diabetes mellitus is caused by a lack of insulin, the hormone essential for sugar metabolism. Diabetics and infants born to diabetic mothers have an increased amount of thromboxane, a compound that induces blood platelets, which are responsible for clotting, to aggregate. At the same time, they also have a reduced amount of prostacyclin, a type of prostaglandin, which inhibits platelet aggregation and causes blood vessels to dilate. The increased thromboxane in these patients is thought to be involved in causing atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque deposits which narrows the opening of blood vessels. Atherosclerosis is a complication commonly found in diabetics. Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid that is essential for the production of both thromboxane and prostaglandin as well as for fetal growth. To determine whether arachidonic acid and prostaglandin metabolism is altered by glucose (blood sugar), fetal sheep were given continuous doses of insulin. The insulin-induced hypoglycemia, or low glucose condition, resulted in a reduction in arachidonic acid, and the relative proportions of prostaglandin and thromboxane. It is suggested that these changes can influence the ability of fetal blood vessels to constrict and can affect fetal circulation.

Research, Diabetes, Arachidonic acid, Prostaglandins, Thromboxanes, Insulin, Diabetes research

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Fetal plasma iron and restoration of red blood cell mass after hemorrhage of the ovine fetus

Article Abstract:

Red blood cell mass restoration after hemorrhage in fetal sheep may be limited by iron availability in fetal tissue stores. After three days of analysis to establish baseline values, hemorrhage was induced in the fetuses of 10 ewes. Monitoring was continued for 7 days. Fetal iron concentrations were higher in the 6 fetuses successfully recovering red blood cell mass than in the 4 that did not reach original red cell mass levels. Levels of erythropoietin, a red cell producing protein, were higher in the unsuccessful fetuses, indicating that iron availability was the limiting factor.

Measurement, Iron in the body, Iron (Nutrient), Hemorrhage, Erythrocytes, Red blood cells

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Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome and brain volume after treatment for hydrops fetalis by in utero intravascular transfusion

Article Abstract:

Study is presented to test the hypothesis that long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of successfully treated fetuses with immune hydrops are similar to their unaffected siblings according to a protocol that addresses the underlying pathophysiologic condition. Conclusion suggests that intravascular of fetuses with profoundly anemic immune hydrops results in high survival rates and favorable long-term neuropsychological outcomes.

Health aspects, Fetus, Edema, Dropsy

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