Fetal eye movement assessed with real-time ultrasonography: are there rapid and slow eye movements?

Article Abstract:

To determine whether two types of eye movement thought to be associated with different sleep stages exist in the fetus, 21 fetuses were studied with real-time ultrasonography (where a 60- to 90-minute videotape is made of the fetus as imaged with ultrasound), and the tapes analyzed for eye movements. Of interest were rapid and slow eye movements; when these movements occurred, their duration was measured. The gestational age of the fetuses was between 33 and 36, or else between 37 and 41, weeks. The cumulative duration until an eye movement of a given duration occurred was calculated. Results showed that a critical duration point for the younger group was 0.62 seconds; for the older group, a critical duration point was 0.76 seconds. At these points, the average cumulative durations were 29 and 47 percent, respectively. The conclusion is reached that two kinds of eye movements occur in both age groups, corresponding to rapid and slow eye movement. Older fetuses spend more time in rapid eye movements, and further investigation will reveal the implications of this for fetal sleep patterns. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Fetus, Sleep, Sleep stages, Prenatal ultrasonography

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Breech presentation: is there a difference in eye movement patterns compared with cephalic presentation in the human fetus at term?

Article Abstract:

Breech fetuses appear to show a different pattern of eye movements during the third trimester compared with head-down fetuses. This suggests some differences in neurologic status among persistent breech babies. Persistent breech is associated with a higher incidence of neurologic complications whether delivered by cesarean or born vaginally. The duration of eye movement periods and their pattern was assessed by ultrasonography in 11 breech fetuses and 12 fetuses presenting head down. No breech baby turned spontaneously before birth. None had maternal anatomic abnormalities or fetal abnormalities predisposing to breech. No differences were noted in the duration of eye movement periods nor of the frequency of eye movements. However, breech fetuses made lateral eye movements 70% of the time versus 80% for head-down fetuses, vertical movements 17% of the time versus 11%, and diagonal movements 13% of the time versus 9%.

Breech delivery, Breech birth

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Effects of U46619 on intracellular Ca++ concentration and tension in human umbilical artery

Article Abstract:

Calcium ions may control the tone of smooth muscle in the human umbilical cord. Previously, the influences controlling contraction of the umbilical cord were not well known. Researchers used a chemical known as U46619 to study the sensitivity of the calcium ion in laboratory-prepared strips of umbilical artery. U46619 increased the contractions of the umbilical smooth muscle by activating a G protein, which in turn increased the calcium ion's ability to contract the muscle. Voltage changes in the calcium ion channels may have caused oscillations in the U46619-influenced calcium ion's concentration and tension within cells. This research may increase the understanding of what drugs can best help the circulation between fetuses and mothers with high blood pressure.

Muscle contraction, Calcium in the body, Calcium (Nutrient), Vascular smooth muscle, Umbilical arteries

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