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Effects of Multiple Courses of Antenatal Corticosteroids on Regional Brain and Somatic Tissue Water Content in Ovine Fetuses

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Abstract

Objective

To study the effects of single and multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids on tissue water content in ovine fetuses.

Methods

After chronic catheterization of the ewes and fetuses, the ewes were randomly assigned to receive single or multiple courses of dexamethasone or placebo beginning at 104–106 or 76-78 days’ gestation, respectively. In the single course groups, the ewes received dexamethasone (6mg, n = 6) or placebo (n = 6) as four intramuscular injections every 12 hours over 48 hours. The fetal tissues were harvested for water content determination 66 hours after the first injection of dexamethasone or placebo was given. In the multiple-course groups, the ewes received the same treatment (dexamethasone, n = 10, or placebo, n - 8), once a week for 5 weeks starting at 76–78 days’ gestation. In these groups, the tissues were harvested 66 hours after the first the injection of the fifth and last treatment course. In both groups, tissues were harvested at 106-107 days’ gestation. Tissue water content was determined by wet-to-dry weight ratio in brain (cerebral cortex, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, midbrain, and medulla) and somatic tissues (kidney, liver, muscle, and skin).

Results

Water content in the brain regions (cerebellum and medulla) was lower (P <.05) in fetuses of dexamethasone-treated ewes than placebo-treated ewes after the multiple course but not the single course. Water content of somatic tissue was lower (P <.05) in fetuses of dexamethasone-treated ewes than placebo-treated ewes after the multiple courses, and in the liver after a single course.

Conclusion

Dexamethasone treatment of ewes at 70% of gestation results in decreased regional brain water content in the fetuses after multiple but not single treatment courses, in somatic tissues (kidney, liver, muscle, and skin) after multiple courses, and in the liver after a single course. (J Soc Gynecol Investig 2004;11:166-74)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Brown University School of Medicine, Women and Infants’ Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02905-2499, USA

    Barbara S. Stonestreet MD, Shannon Watkins, Katherine H. Petersson PhD & Grazyna B. Sadowska DVM

Authors
  1. Barbara S. Stonestreet MD
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  2. Shannon Watkins
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  3. Katherine H. Petersson PhD
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  4. Grazyna B. Sadowska DVM
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara S. Stonestreet MD.

Additional information

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grant R01-HD34618.

The authors acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Christopher M. Elitt, BS, John Kazianis, BS, Amanda J. McKnight, BS, Maricmz Merino, BS, Stephanie Newton, BS, and Mary Oh, MD.

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Stonestreet, B.S., Watkins, S., Petersson, K.H. et al. Effects of Multiple Courses of Antenatal Corticosteroids on Regional Brain and Somatic Tissue Water Content in Ovine Fetuses. Reprod. Sci. 11, 166–174 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsgi.2003.10.006

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