owens-placentalrestriction-1998.pdf (2.42 MB)
Placental restriction alters adrenal medullary development in the midgestation sheep fetus
journal contribution
posted on 1998-11-01, 00:00 authored by C L Coulter, I C McMillen, J S Robinson, Julie OwensJulie OwensThe aims of this study were to determine whether placental restriction (PR) alters the pattern of localization of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, and enkephalin (ENK)-containing peptides in the adrenal gland of the midgestation sheep fetus. We also determined the effect of PR on the content and profile of the molecular mass forms of ENK-containing peptides in the fetal adrenal medulla. Placental growth was restricted by removal of most of the placental implantation sites in the uterus before mating. In midgestation, placental and fetal body weight were reduced (p < 0.05) in the PR group (n = 8; 237.9 +/- 39.5 g, 564.7 +/- 41.6 g, respectively) when compared with the control group (n = 9; 479.1 +/- 36.9 g, 721.2 +/- 22.8 g, respectively). However, combined fetal adrenal weight and adrenal cortical and medullary area were similar in the PR and control fetuses. In PR fetuses, distribution of staining for dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, and ENK-containing peptides in the adrenal medulla was similar when compared with the control group; however, staining was less intense and not all adrenomedullary cells were stained. The total adrenal content of ENK-containing peptides was also significantly (p < 0.05) less in the PR group (103.4 +/- 18.6 ng/adrenal) than in the control group (243.6 +/- 24.8 ng/adrenal). However, the molecular mass profile of ENK-containing peptides was not altered in the PR fetuses compared with controls. These data suggest that placental restriction in utero may alter the synthesis and/or secretion of catecholamines and ENK-containing peptides from the fetal adrenal medulla from as early as 90 d gestation.
History
Journal
Pediatric researchVolume
44Issue
5Pagination
656 - 662Publisher
NatureLocation
London, Eng.Publisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
0031-3998Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
1998, NatureUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Adrenal MedullaAnimalsConstrictionDopamine beta-HydroxylaseEnkephalinsFemaleImmunohistochemistryOrgan SizePhenylethanolamine N-MethyltransferasePlacentaPregnancySheepScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePediatricsCATECHOLAMINE-SYNTHESIZING ENZYMESEXPERIMENTAL GROWTH-RETARDATIONENKEPHALIN-CONTAINING PEPTIDESMOLECULAR-WEIGHT PROFILESYMPATHOADRENAL SYSTEMFUNCTIONAL MATURATIONFETAL GROWTHIN-VIVOONTOGENYRELEASE
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC