RESUMO
Cell-free DNA testing is a recently introduced method for screening pregnant women for fetal trisomy, which is associated with some common significant genetic diseases, as well as the sex of the fetus. The case described here demonstrates the connection between the ultrasound "vanishing twin" phenomenon and the misdiagnosis of prenatal sex using cell-free DNA testing.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Resistência a Andrógenos/diagnóstico , Erros de Diagnóstico , Reabsorção do Feto/diagnóstico por imagem , Aconselhamento Genético/métodos , Testes Genéticos/métodos , Diagnóstico Pré-Natal/métodos , Síndrome de Resistência a Andrógenos/genética , Aneuploidia , DNA/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Feto , Humanos , Masculino , Gravidez , Gravidez de Gêmeos/sangue , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Cromossomos Sexuais , Trissomia/diagnóstico , Trissomia/genética , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal , Hemorragia UterinaRESUMO
In the semiarid region of Brazil, in areas with vegetation composed mainly of Poincianella pyramidalis, several cases of congenital malformation and reproductive losses were observed in goats and sheep from 2012 to 2014. To determine the teratogenic effect of P. pyramidalis, two groups of eight goats each were used. Goats from Group 1 received fresh P. pyramidalis, harvested daily, as the only roughage during the whole breeding and pregnancy period. Goats in Group 2 (control) received Cynodon dactylon (tifton) hay free choice. Ultrasound examination for pregnancy diagnosis was performed every 28 days. Four goats from Group 1 were pregnant on day 28 but not on day 56, suggesting embryonic death or abortion. Another goat from Group 1 died at day 70 of pregnancy, and the fetuses exhibited micrognathia. The other three goats bore six kids, three of which showed bone malformations in the limbs, spine, ribs, sternum, and head, including arthrogryposis, scoliosis and micrognathia. One kid also showed hypoplasia of the left pulmonary lobes. In the control group, all goats bore a total of 13 kids and none of them exhibited malformations. These results demonstrated that P. pyramidalis causes congenital malformations and other reproductive losses in goats.
Assuntos
Anormalidades Induzidas por Medicamentos/veterinária , Aborto Animal/induzido quimicamente , Caesalpinia/toxicidade , Reabsorção do Feto/veterinária , Doenças das Cabras/induzido quimicamente , Doenças das Cabras/etiologia , Intoxicação por Plantas/veterinária , Complicações na Gravidez/veterinária , Animais , Artrogripose/induzido quimicamente , Artrogripose/veterinária , Brasil , Cynodon , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/induzido quimicamente , Doenças das Cabras/fisiopatologia , Cabras , Micrognatismo/induzido quimicamente , Micrognatismo/veterinária , Componentes Aéreos da Planta/toxicidade , Intoxicação por Plantas/fisiopatologia , Gravidez , Complicações na Gravidez/fisiopatologia , Escoliose/induzido quimicamente , Escoliose/veterináriaRESUMO
The vertical transmission of leishmaniasis has been reported in species that cause visceral leishmaniasis. However, this condition has scarcely been documented in species that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to determine experimentally whether L. mexicana is transmitted vertically. A control group of BALB/c mice and a group infected with L. mexicana were mated, the gestation was monitored, and females were killed before delivery. Four resorptions (P = 0.023) and eight fetal deaths (P = 0.010) were observed in the infected female group; furthermore, the offspring body weight of the infected group was lower than the body weight of the healthy group (P = 0.009). DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that all placentas and maternal spleens as well as 39 of 110 fetal spleens obtained from the offspring of infected mothers tested positive for Leishmania. In conclusion, L. mexicana is transmitted transplacentally and causes fetal death, resorption, and reduction in offspring body weight.
Assuntos
Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas , Leishmania mexicana , Leishmaniose Cutânea/transmissão , Placenta/parasitologia , Complicações Parasitárias na Gravidez/parasitologia , Animais , Peso ao Nascer , DNA de Protozoário/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Morte Fetal/parasitologia , Reabsorção do Feto/parasitologia , Leishmania mexicana/genética , Leishmania mexicana/isolamento & purificação , Leishmaniose Cutânea/parasitologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Gravidez , Distribuição Aleatória , Organismos Livres de Patógenos Específicos , Baço/embriologia , Baço/parasitologiaRESUMO
It has been reported that fetal lymphoid progenitor cells are acquired during gestation and are able to develop in the maternal mouse thymus into functional T cells. Moreover, previous pregnancies increase the number of fetal cells in the mother. In the present study, we investigated whether mouse pregnancy induces changes in T lymphocyte subsets in the maternal thymus. We determined the T lymphocyte subsets in two allogeneic cross-breedings, namely CBA/J×BALB/c (normal) and CBA/J×DBA/2 (abortion prone), and investigated the effects of the age and parity of the female, as well as pregnancy outcome, on thymocyte populations. In addition, hormonal effects were evaluated in a syngeneic combination (CBA/J×CBA/J). We found that during pregnancy both hormonal and allogeneic stimuli induced a reduction in the CD4(+)CD8(+) subset with an increase in the CD4(+)CD8(-) population. Only young females of the normal combination exhibited an increase in the CD4(-)CD8(+) population. All young mice showed an increase in CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T cells. Interestingly, the γδT thymus pool was increased in all females of the normal allogeneic pregnancy only, suggesting the participation of this pool in the observed beneficial effect of multiparity in this cross-breeding. Our results demonstrate that allogeneic pregnancies induce important variations in maternal thymocyte subpopulations depending on the age of the female and the male component of the cross-breeding.
Assuntos
Hibridização Genética/imunologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C/imunologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos CBA/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T , Timo/citologia , Aborto Animal/genética , Envelhecimento , Animais , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/veterinária , Idade Gestacional , Tamanho da Ninhada de Vivíparos , Camundongos , Paridade , GravidezRESUMO
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The role of Azadirachta indica (neem) against Chagas disease and its antibiotic and antidiabetic action have been demonstrated in non-pregnant animals. However, the effects of neem on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress during pregnancy remain to be investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Azadirachta indica (neem) on maternal reproductive performance and biochemical parameters in non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced mild diabetic rats (MD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant rats were randomly distributed into six experimental groups: ND=non-treated non-diabetic (n=13); NDOil=non-diabetic treated with 1.2 mL/day neem seed oil (n=12); NDPA=non-diabetic treated with 1.0mg/mL/day azadirachtin (n=12); D=non-treated diabetic (n=13); DOil: diabetic treated with neem seed oil (n=12), and DPA=diabetic treated with azadirachtin, n=13. Treatment with either neem oil (1.2 mL/day) or azadirachtin (1.0mg/mL/day) was orally administered throughout pregnancy. Glucose test tolerance (GTT) was performed at day 17 of pregnancy and used as an inclusion criterion. At term pregnancy, maternal reproductive outcomes, lipid profile and oxidative stress status were assessed. RESULTS: Treatment with neem oil and azadirachtin during pregnancy (1) had no hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects on non-diabetic and diabetic rats, respectively; (2) affected OGTT glycemic levels in diabetic rats; (3) increased the proportion of fetuses classified as small for pregnancy age (SPA) in all groups; and (4) did not interfere with the lipid profile in non-diabetic dams. Neem oil reduced the rate of total cholesterol and NEFA in diabetic animals. Both neem oil and azadirachtin increased lipoperoxidation, characterized by increased MDA levels in non-diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: Both neem seed oil and azadirachtin impaired intrauterine development and altered antioxidant/oxidative status during pregnancy.
Assuntos
Azadirachta , Desenvolvimento Fetal/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicerídeos/efeitos adversos , Limoninas/efeitos adversos , Terpenos/efeitos adversos , Animais , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto , Teste de Tolerância a Glucose , Metabolismo dos Lipídeos , Peroxidação de Lipídeos/efeitos dos fármacos , Malondialdeído/metabolismo , Gravidez , Resultado da Gravidez , Gravidez em Diabéticas/metabolismo , Ratos , SementesRESUMO
Lactogenesis is a very complex process highly dependent on hormonal regulation. In the present study the time-course of the inhibitory actions of progesterone on prolactin secretion, mammary gland morphology and lactogenesis from mid- to late gestation in rodents was investigated. Groups of pregnant rats were luteectomised or administered with mifepristone on Day 10, 13, 15 or 17 of gestation and decapitated 28 or 48h later. Whole-blood samples and the inguinal mammary glands were taken for determinations of hormone levels and for measurement of mammary content of casein and lactose and for tissue morphology analyses, respectively. Luteectomy or mifepristone evoked prolactin increases only after Day 17 of gestation. Mammary content of casein was increased by both treatments regardless of timing or duration. Mifepristone was less effective than luteectomy in inducing lactose production and the effect was only observed after Day 15 of gestation. Analysis of mammary gland morphology confirmed the observed effect of progesterone on lactogenesis. Both treatments triggered remarkable secretory activity in the mammary gland, even without a parallel epithelial proliferation, demonstrating that the mammary epithelium is able to synthesise milk compounds long before its full lobulo-alveolar development is achieved, provided that progesterone action is abolished. Thus, the present study demonstrates that progesterone is a potent hormonal switch for the prolactin and prolactin-like effects on mammary gland development and its milk-synthesising capacity during pregnancy, and that its inhibitory action is already evident by mid-pregnancy in rodents.
Assuntos
Lactação/efeitos dos fármacos , Prenhez , Progesterona/farmacologia , Roedores , Animais , Corpo Lúteo/efeitos dos fármacos , Corpo Lúteo/metabolismo , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/induzido quimicamente , Viabilidade Fetal/efeitos dos fármacos , Idade Gestacional , Lactação/metabolismo , Lactação/fisiologia , Glândulas Mamárias Animais/efeitos dos fármacos , Glândulas Mamárias Animais/metabolismo , Gravidez , Prolactina/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Roedores/metabolismo , Roedores/fisiologiaRESUMO
Maternal diabetes increases the risk of embryo malformations. Folic acid and safflower oil supplementations have been shown to reduce embryo malformations in experimental models of diabetes. In this study we here tested whether folic acid and safflower oil supplementations interact to prevent embryo malformations in diabetic rats, and analyzed whether they act through the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs), and nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species production. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin administration prior to mating. From Day 0.5 of pregnancy, rats did or did not receive folic acid (15 mg/kg) and/or a 6% safflower oil-supplemented diet. Embryos and decidua were explanted on Day 10.5 of gestation for further analysis of embryo resorptions and malformations, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels, NO production and lipid peroxidation. Maternal diabetes induced resorptions and malformations that were prevented by folic acid and safflower oil supplementation. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were increased in embryos and decidua from diabetic rats and decreased with safflower oil and folic acid supplementations. In diabetic animals, the embryonic and decidual TIMPs were increased mainly with safflower oil supplementation in decidua and with folic acid in embryos. NO overproduction was decreased in decidua from diabetic rats treated with folic acid alone and in combination with safflower oil. These treatments also prevented increases in embryonic and decidual lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, folic acid and safflower oil supplementations interact and protect the embryos from diabetes-induced damage through several pathways related to a decrease in pro-inflammatory mediators.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/complicações , Suplementos Nutricionais , Ácido Fólico/uso terapêutico , Gravidez em Diabéticas , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/tratamento farmacológico , Substâncias Protetoras/uso terapêutico , Óleo de Cártamo/uso terapêutico , Animais , Anormalidades Congênitas/etiologia , Anormalidades Congênitas/prevenção & controle , Embrião de Mamíferos/efeitos dos fármacos , Embrião de Mamíferos/metabolismo , Desenvolvimento Embrionário/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/prevenção & controle , Masculino , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz/metabolismo , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz/metabolismo , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Gravidez , Resultado da Gravidez , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismoRESUMO
The aims of this study was to evaluate the effects of oil-resin of Copaiba (Copaifera duckei Dwyer), aired in vaginal cream on the reproductive performance of female rats (Rattus norvegicus). To determine the components of the C. duckei oleoresin, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (CG-MS) was used, and considering the trans-caryophyllene sesquiterpene as a phytochemical marker in the oleoresin. Due to the extensive use of copaiba oleoresin in the suppository form for gynecological infections, an evaluation was carried out on the effects of copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera duckei Dwyer), delivered in a vaginal cream, on the reproductive performance of female Wistar rats. For this purpose, three groups (n=5-6/group) of female rats were treated as follows: 1--vaginal cream of copaiba oleoresin (28.6 mg/kg), 2--base vaginal cream and 3--control (physiological saline 0.9%), administered intravaginally, for 30 days before pregnancy, and from day zero to day 20 during pregnancy. Laparotomy was performed on the 21st day of pregnancy, followed by the determination of reproductive variables: number of live and dead fetuses, mass of the fetuses and placentas, number of implantations and resorptions, number of corpora lutea, pre- and post-implantation loss, and analyses of the fetuses with regard to external and internal anomalies and/or malformations (skeletal and visceral). The trans-caryophyllene present in the sample is suggested as a phytochemical marker and the results of this study demonstrate an absence of maternal toxicity and foetotoxicity embryofoetotoxicity at the dose administered, corresponding to ten times the recommended dose for use in humans. Accordingly, no significant statistical difference was observed between the treated and control groups, for the variables analyzed. Thus, it is concluded that the vaginal cream containing 2.5% copaiba oleoresin is safe during gestation, in female rats (Rattus norvegicus) of the Wistar strain.
Assuntos
Preparações de Plantas/administração & dosagem , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Anormalidades Induzidas por Medicamentos , Administração Intravaginal , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos/anormalidades , Cromatografia Gasosa , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/induzido quimicamente , Peso Fetal/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Tamanho do Órgão/efeitos dos fármacos , Osteogênese/efeitos dos fármacos , Placenta/efeitos dos fármacos , Preparações de Plantas/química , Preparações de Plantas/toxicidade , Plantas Medicinais/química , Gravidez , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on pregnancy outcome in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats (n = 11 animals/group). These animals were randomly assigned to sedentary (G1) and exercised groups, beginning from day 0 (G2) or 7 (G3) to day 20 of pregnancy. The moderate exercise was a swimming programme. At day 21 of pregnancy, all rats were anaesthetized and killed to obtain pregnancy outcome data. All rats presented glycaemia higher than 300 mg/dl, regardless of the exercise training. The G3 group showed higher live fetus number per implantation site and lower resorption number per implantation site compared with the G1 group. The fetal and placental mean weights per litter and the total number of ossification sites were significantly lower in the exercised groups (P < 0.05). Placental index was lower in the G2 and G3 groups compared with the G1 group. The occurrence of skeletal anomalies indicated that exercise increased the number of altered fetuses. Thus, moderate exercise achieved better outcomes by increasing the number of live births and decreasing resorption. However, exercise increased skeletal anomalies and decreased fetal and placental weights.
Assuntos
Anormalidades Congênitas/veterinária , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/fisiopatologia , Desenvolvimento Fetal , Condicionamento Físico Animal , Gravidez em Diabéticas , Prenhez , Animais , Glicemia/metabolismo , Anormalidades Congênitas/etiologia , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/etiologia , Feto/fisiologia , Osteogênese/fisiologia , Gravidez , Resultado da Gravidez , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to determine if dietary fatty acids (FA) level or isomeric FA type may affect reproductive parameters in mice. METHOD: of study Mice were fed for 1 month diets differing in cisFA (cFA) content or type of isomeric FA. Resorption, number of fetuses and placental cytokine expression were determined and sperm acrosome reaction was evaluated after induction by calcium ionophore. RESULTS: Mice fed high fat diets showed increased fetal resorptions, a decrease in interleukin (IL)-4 placental expression in the first generation and an increase of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the second generation. In this generation, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) returned TNF-alpha to normal levels and diminished IL-4 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) expressions; males fed transFA (tFA) and CLA showed a lower rate of induced acrosome reaction. CONCLUSION: The amount and type of dietary FA may affect reproductive performance in mice by affecting sperm membrane functionality and placental cytokine production.
Assuntos
Gorduras na Dieta/administração & dosagem , Ácidos Graxos/administração & dosagem , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Peso Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Gorduras na Dieta/metabolismo , Ácidos Graxos/metabolismo , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/etiologia , Reabsorção do Feto/metabolismo , Interleucina-4/biossíntese , Interleucina-4/imunologia , Isomerismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Tamanho do Órgão/efeitos dos fármacos , Placenta/imunologia , Reprodução/imunologia , Reprodução/fisiologia , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta2/biossíntese , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta2/imunologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/imunologiaRESUMO
The purpose of the study was to evaluate at term, the effects of the association of zidovudine/ritonavir administered during the entire period of rat pregnancy. Forty pregnant EPM-1 Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: one control (drug vehicle control, n=10) and three experimental treated with an oral solution of zidovudine/ritonavir (Exp 1 = 10/20 mg/kg bw, n = 10; Exp 2 = 30/60 mg/kg bw, n=10; Exp 3 = 90/180 mg/kg bw, n=10) from day 0 up to day 20 of pregnancy. Maternal body weights were recorded at the start of the experiment and at the 7th, 14th and the 20th day thereafter. At term (20th day) the rats were anesthetized and, upon laparotomy and hysterotomy, the number of implantations, resorptions, living fetuses, placentae and intrauterine deaths were recorded. The collected fetuses and placentae were weighed, and the concepts were examined under a stereoscopic microscope for external malformations. The maternal body gain and the mean fetal weight at term were both significantly lower (p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001, respectively) in the experimental groups compared to the control. The recorded resorptions were higher in Exp 2 and Exp 3 groups than in the control group. The other parameters were not affected. The exposure of pregnant rats at term to a 1:2 association of zidovudine plus ritonavir resulted in a significant reduction in maternal body weight gain and increased rate of fetal resorption.
Assuntos
Fármacos Anti-HIV/toxicidade , Desenvolvimento Fetal/efeitos dos fármacos , Ritonavir/toxicidade , Aumento de Peso/efeitos dos fármacos , Zidovudina/toxicidade , Animais , Peso Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Quimioterapia Combinada , Feminino , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/induzido quimicamente , Reabsorção do Feto/induzido quimicamente , Gravidez , Distribuição Aleatória , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
Genital tract bacterial infections could induce abortion and are some of the most common complications of pregnancy; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the role of prostaglandins (PGs) in the mechanism of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pregnancy loss in a mouse model, and we hypothesized that PGs might play a central role in this action. LPS increased PG production in the uterus and decidua from early pregnant mice and stimulated cyclooxygenase (COX)-II mRNA and protein expression in the decidua but not in the uterus. We also observed that COX inhibitors prevented embryonic resorption (ER). To study the possible interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and PGs, we administered aminoguanidine, an inducible NO synthase inhibitor. NO inhibited basal PGE and PGF(2alpha) production in the decidua but activated their uterine synthesis and COX-II mRNA expression under septic conditions. A NO donor (S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine) produced 100% ER and increased PG levels in the uterus and decidua. LPS-stimulated protein nitration was higher in the uterus than in the decidua. Quercetin, a peroxynitrite scavenger, did not reverse LPS-induced ER. Our results suggest that in a model of septic abortion characterized by increased PG levels, NO might nitrate and thus inhibit COX catalytic activity. ER prevention by COX inhibitors adds a possible clinical application to early pregnancy complications due to infections.
Assuntos
Reabsorção do Feto/induzido quimicamente , Reabsorção do Feto/metabolismo , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Prostaglandinas/metabolismo , Animais , Inibidores de Ciclo-Oxigenase/farmacologia , Feminino , Isoenzimas/genética , Isoenzimas/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Óxido Nítrico Sintase/metabolismo , Gravidez , Prostaglandina-Endoperóxido Sintases/genética , Prostaglandina-Endoperóxido Sintases/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Tirosina/metabolismoRESUMO
The present study examined the mechanism by which metformin prevents dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced embryonic resorption in mice. Treatment with DHEA (6 mg/100 g bodyweight, 24 and 48 h post implantation) induced 88 +/- 1 % embryonic resorption and the diminution of both serum oestradiol (E) and progesterone (P) levels. However, when metformin (50 mg/kg bodyweight) was given together with DHEA, embryo resorption (43 +/- 3% v. 35 +/- 5% in controls) and both serum E and P levels were not significantly different from controls. Glucose and insulin levels were increased in the DHEA-treated mice but when metformin was administered together with DHEA these parameters were similar to control values. Treatment with DHEA increased ovarian oxidative stress and diminished uterine nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity; however, when metformin was administered together with DHEA, both ovarian oxidative stress and uterine NOS activity were not different from controls. Metformin treatment did not modify the percentage of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from both axillar and retroperitoneal lymph nodes but prevented the increase of serum tumour necrosis factor +/- produced in DHEA-treated mice. These results show that metformin acts in DHEA-induced embryonic resorption in mice by modulating endocrine parameters, ovarian oxidative stress and uterine NOS activity.
Assuntos
Desidroepiandrosterona/administração & dosagem , Reabsorção do Feto/induzido quimicamente , Reabsorção do Feto/prevenção & controle , Hiperandrogenismo/induzido quimicamente , Metformina/administração & dosagem , Animais , Glicemia/análise , Relação CD4-CD8 , Estradiol/sangue , Feminino , Hiperandrogenismo/complicações , Insulina/sangue , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Óxido Nítrico/fisiologia , Óxido Nítrico Sintase/metabolismo , Ovário/efeitos dos fármacos , Ovário/fisiologia , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Gravidez , Progesterona/sangue , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/análise , Útero/efeitos dos fármacos , Útero/enzimologia , Útero/fisiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of fetal resorption in 77 pregnant bitches and its association with the age, size and body condition score of the bitch and to determine the frequency of transuterine migration of embryos. METHODS: The number and position of embryos or fetuses and placental zones were registered postmortem. The prevalence of fetal losses was determined by comparing the number of corpora lutea with the number of embryos or fetuses in each bitch. The prevalence of transuterine migration of embryos was determined by correlating the number of fetuses in each horn and the number of corpora lutea in the ipsilateral ovary. RESULTS: Fetal resorption zones were demonstrated in 42.9 per cent of the bitches. However, pregnancy continued in 84.9 per cent of cases. Of the fetal losses, 25.9 per cent were determined by counting the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos or fetuses. Young bitches tended to have a higher probability of fetal resorption than adult bitches (P<0.06). The presence of fetal resorption zones was not associated with size or body condition. Transuterine migration of embryos had occurred in 15.8 per cent of the bitches. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrated that embryo resorption is a normal event in the bitches, with a higher prevalence than previously thought.
Assuntos
Constituição Corporal/fisiologia , Cães/fisiologia , Reabsorção do Feto/veterinária , Fatores Etários , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Estudos Transversais , Cães/embriologia , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/epidemiologia , México/epidemiologia , Gravidez , Prevalência , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
It has largely been shown that air pollution can affect human health. Effects on human fertility have been shown mainly in males by a decrease in semen quality. Few studies have focused on the environmental effects on female fertility. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of air pollution in the city of Sao Paulo on mouse female fertility. Four groups of female Balb/c mice were placed in two chambers 10 days (newborn) or 10 weeks (adults) after birth. Mice were maintained in the chambers 24 h a day, 7 days a week, for 4 months. The first chamber received air that had passed through an air filter (clean chamber) and the second received ambient air (polluted chamber). We measured PM10 and NO2 inside both chambers. Mice belonging to the adult groups were bred to male mice after living for 3 months inside the chambers. The newborn groups mated after reaching reproductive age (12 weeks). After 19 days of pregnancy the numbers of live-born pups, reabsorptions, fetal deaths, corpora lutea, and implantation failures were determined. PM10 and NO2 concentrations in the clean chamber were 50% and 77.5% lower than in the polluted chamber, respectively. Differences in fertility parameters between groups were observed only in animals exposed to air pollution at an early age (10 days after birth). We observed a higher number of live-born pups per animal in the clean chamber than per animal from the polluted chamber (median=6.0 and 4.0, respectively; P=0.037). There was a higher incidence of implantation failures in the polluted group than in the clean group (median=3.5 and 2.0, respectively; P=0.048). There were no significant differences in the other reproductive parameters between groups. These results support the concept that female reproductive health represents a target of air pollutants.
Assuntos
Poluentes Atmosféricos/toxicidade , Ar/análise , Monitoramento Ambiental , Infertilidade Feminina/induzido quimicamente , Exposição Materna/efeitos adversos , Poluentes Atmosféricos/análise , Animais , Brasil , Cidades , Implantação do Embrião/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/induzido quimicamente , Peso Fetal/efeitos dos fármacos , Tamanho da Ninhada de Vivíparos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Tamanho do Órgão/efeitos dos fármacos , Placenta/efeitos dos fármacos , GravidezRESUMO
The placenta provides all energy and nutrient requirements for healthy fetal development. The placenta in rats is capable of storing glycogen, although the placenta cells must therefore mobilize stored glycogen to its own glucose supply. Moreover, maternal glucose and/or placental lactate furnished the fetal growth. Adult female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control-C, tumour bearing-W; injected ascitic fluid-A. The rats were sacrificed on the 16th, 19th or 21st day of gestation, analysing the placenta and fetus weights and placental tissue samples was aliquoted for biochemical assays of glycogen and protein content and alkaline phosphatase activity. Placental sections were morphometrically analysed and glycogen positive cells were counted. The placental and fetal weight were significantly reduced in both W and A rats from 16th up to 21st day of gestation, which showed high levels of fetal reabsorption sites. Significant reduction in labyrinth zone at day 21 in both tumour bearing and ascitic fluid injected groups was shown, suggesting less substrate exchange at the maternal/fetal surface. The alkaline phosphatase activity as well total protein content were found to be reduced in W and A group. The total placental glycogen and glycogen cells decreased during tumour bearing and ascitic fluid injection, suggesting reduction in its own stored energy. Ascitic fluid injected group, representing an indirect tumour effect, presented similar reduction changes in the placenta to the tumour-bearing group. In conclusion, the tumour growth and, especially, ascitic fluid injection promoted irreversible placental tissue damage altering homeostasis and compromising fetal development.
Assuntos
Carcinoma 256 de Walker/metabolismo , Glicogênio/metabolismo , Placenta/metabolismo , Fosfatase Alcalina/metabolismo , Animais , Carcinoma 256 de Walker/complicações , Carcinoma 256 de Walker/patologia , Contagem de Células , Decídua/patologia , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto , Peso Fetal , Glicogênio/análise , Tamanho do Órgão , Placenta/patologia , Placenta/fisiopatologia , Gravidez , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Trofoblastos/química , Trofoblastos/patologiaRESUMO
PROBLEM: CBA/J x DBA/2 abortion rate could be the consequence of a deficient local production of T helper (Th2) cytokines, which cause fetal wastage via fgl2 prothrombinase. Heparin reduces significantly the abortion rate in mice and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients. We proposed to determine the effect of enoxaparin on the levels of local interleukin (IL)-6 during murine pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY: Recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6) or enoxaparin were inoculated in CBA/J x DBA/2 pregnant mice on days 6.5-12.5. IL-6 levels in sera as well as in culture supernatants of day 9.5 fetoplacental units of CBA/J x BALB/c control mice or CBA/J x DBA/2 abortion combination were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. RESULTS: CBA/J x DBA/2 fetoplacental units secreted significantly lower levels of IL-6 with regard to CBA/J x BALB/c normal units. rhIL-6h and enoxaparin treatments decreased the resorption rate and regulated IL-6 fetoplacental levels. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that regulation of IL-6 fetoplacental levels could be involved in heparin-mediated anticoagulation protection against abortion.
Assuntos
Aborto Espontâneo/tratamento farmacológico , Heparina de Baixo Peso Molecular/uso terapêutico , Interleucina-6/biossíntese , Interleucina-6/uso terapêutico , Placenta/metabolismo , Aborto Espontâneo/metabolismo , Animais , Técnicas de Cultura , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos , Placenta/citologia , GravidezRESUMO
CBA/JXDBA/2J murine abortion is known to be associated with increased local and peripheral Th1-cytokines levels. The role of the pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) in murine abortion remains unclear. In humans, IL-6 was reported to be elevated at the onset of spontaneous abortion. The aim of our study was to evaluate the levels of IL-6 during murine pregnancy in (1) the normal murine pregnancy combination CBA/JXBALB/c and in (2) the CBA/JXDBA/2J abortion prone mating combination. We measured IL-6 serum levels by ELISA and local (placental and decidual) IL-6 levels by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. The expression of the IL-6 receptor gp80 was further analyzed. We additionally evaluated the number of mast cells and macrophages at the feto-maternal interface as a putative IL-6 source in reproductive tissues. IL-6 and gp80 were expressed in decidual cells as well as in different trophoblast types. Flow cytometry analysis showed increased numbers of IL-6+ cells in abortion placentas and deciduas compared to control pregnant mice. We observed an elevated number of mast cells and macrophages at the feto-maternal interface from abortion mice in comparison to control mice. Interestingly, we found very high numbers of mast cells, macrophages and IL-6+ cells in resorption tissue compared to control tissues. Flow cytometry studies confirmed that macrophages are being an important source of IL-6 at the feto-maternal interface. The mRNA IL-6 levels were also enhanced in placenta and decidua from mice with high abortion rate compared to normal pregnant mice, as analyzed by RT-PCR. Our results suggest that IL-6 produced not only by immunocompetent cells such as macrophages and mast cells, but also by trophoblasts and decidua cells, is directly involved in the pathology of abortion.
Assuntos
Aborto Animal/metabolismo , Decídua/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Placenta/metabolismo , Aborto Animal/genética , Aborto Animal/patologia , Animais , Antígeno CD11b/análise , Contagem de Células , Cruzamentos Genéticos , Decídua/química , Decídua/patologia , Feminino , Reabsorção do Feto/genética , Reabsorção do Feto/metabolismo , Reabsorção do Feto/patologia , Citometria de Fluxo , Expressão Gênica , Imuno-Histoquímica , Interleucina-6/sangue , Interleucina-6/genética , Macrófagos/citologia , Masculino , Mastócitos/citologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos CBA , Camundongos Endogâmicos DBA , Monócitos/metabolismo , Placenta/química , Placenta/patologia , Gravidez , Receptores de Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Trofoblastos/químicaRESUMO
Beta-ionone (BI) is a degraded (C 13) sesquiterpene found in plant essential oils. It has been used in the synthesis of perfume chemicals and vitamin A. Recently, it was reported that BI is a rather potent in vitro inhibitor of CYP2B1-catalysed reactions in rat liver microsomes. The present study was performed to investigate whether inhibition of CYP2B1 reactions by BI could lead to an attenuation of cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced embryotoxicity in the rat. In a preliminary experiment, a dose-dependent prolongation of pentobarbital sleeping time in male and female Wistar rats suggested that BI inhibits CYP2B1 in vivo as well. In a second experiment, rats were treated by gavage with BI (0, 250, 500, 750 or 1000 mg/kg body wt) 45 min prior to a subcutaneous injection of either CP (7.5 mg/kg body wt) or its vehicle (saline) on day 11 of pregnancy. BI alone, at the highest dose tested, caused a high proportion of resorptions. Lower doses of BI, however, clearly attenuated CP-induced embryolethality and teratogenicity. These results seem to support the view that, as far as rats are concerned, CYP2B1 plays an important role in the conversion of CP into its embryolethal and teratogenic metabolites.