Endotoxin-induced fetal growth retardation in the pregnant guinea pig
Article Abstract:
Bacterial products such as endotoxin may cause fetal growth retardation. Endotoxin is a bacterial toxin that is part of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. Among 18 pregnant guinea pigs, nine were injected with a solution containing endotoxin from Bacteroides fragilis and nine were injected with a placebo, or an inactive substance. Guinea pigs who were injected with endotoxin gained significantly less weight than those who received a placebo. Guinea pigs in the endotoxin group had significantly higher blood levels of triglycerides and one type of prostaglandin than those in the placebo group. Fetuses whose mothers were injected with endotoxin weighed significantly less than fetuses whose mothers received a placebo. Infection of the genitourinary tract by gram-negative bacteria may cause preterm delivery in pregnant women. This type of infection also may cause a low birth weight in their infants.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1993
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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha in response to endotoxin administration in the pregnant guinea pig
Article Abstract:
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may play a role in causing fetal growth retardation when the mother is exposed to bacterial endotoxin. Prior research has shown that repeated exposure of the pregnant guinea pig to bacterial endotoxin causes several adverse metabolic effects that result in fetal growth retardation. TNF-alpha is known to cause those same adverse metabolic effects. Researchers measured concentrations of TNF-alpha in six pregnant guinea pigs injected with bacterial endotoxin and compared results with six control animals. TNF-alpha was detected in all but one injected animal and only one control animal.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1996
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Circulating bioactive tumor necrosis factor-alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptors, fibronectin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inducible cell adhesion molecule VCAM-1 in uncomplicated pregnancy
Article Abstract:
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the factors associated with the modulation of its biological activity, may show characteristic patterns reflecting the gestational age of the fetus. TNF-alpha is a protein thought to be associated with fetal establishment and cell differentiation. Blood samples from 22 women with uncomplicated pregnancies were analyzed at various stages in the pregnancy, and postpartum. The majority of the women showed similar patterns in the concentration of TNF-alpha and the variables associated with its expression as pregnancy progressed.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1997
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