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The Effect of Repeated Umbilical Cord Occlusions on Pulmonary Surfactant Protein mRNA Levels in the Ovine Fetus

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Abstract

Objectives

In this study we sought to determine the effect of brief repeated umbilical cord occlusions (rUCO) on surfactant protein (SP) mRNA levels in the fetal sheep lung at two different gestational ages.

Methods

Fourteen fetuses at 112 to 115 days’ gestation (control n = 7, rUCO n = 7) and 15 fetuses at 130 to 133 days’ gestation (control n = 7, rUCO n = 8) were studied over 4 successive days with rUCO of 90 seconds duration pe formed every 30 minutes for 3 to 5 hours each day in the rUCO animals. Blood samples were collected for corticotrophin (ACTH) and Cortisol measurements. Animals were killed within 1 hour of the final cord occlusion. SP-A, -B, -C, and -D mRNA levels were determined in lung tissue using a ribonuclease protection assay.

Results

Cord occlusions resulted in temporary increases in circulating ACTH on day 1 with both gestational ages, but the elevations were blunted by day 4. Plasma Cortisol levels increased transiently with the larger effect being observed on day 4, in particular with the near-term group. With advancing gestational age there was a significant (P <.05) increase in the level of SP-A (control 112—115 days: 0.01 ± 0.01 vs control 130–133 days: 0.07 ± 0.02 fmol/mgRNA), SP-B (control 112–115 days: 0.02 ± 0.01 vs control 130–133 days: 0.07 ± 0.01 fmol/mg RNA) and SP-C (control 112–115 days: 0.13 ± 0.09 vs control 130–133 days: 0.51 ± 0.10 fmol/mg RNA), but not SP-D mRNA levels (control 112–115 days: 0.002 ± 0.002 vs control 130–133 days: 0.01 ± 0.002 fmol/mg RNA). At 112 to 115 days, there was no significant change in any of the SP mRNA levels following rUCO compared to controls. However, the same regime of rUCO at 130 to 133 days resulted in an 85% reduction in SP-A and SP-B mRNA content and a 66% reduction in SP-C mRNA levels compared to controls.

Conclusion

The surprising decrease in SP-A and SP-B mRNA levels, which contrasts with other studies, suggests intermittent asphyxial episodes impact differently on surfactant apoprotein mRNA expression than does prolonged hypoxia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, 600 University Ave., Room 1006, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada

    Laura Nardo PhD, Lin Zhao MD, Lucy Green PhD, Fred Possmayer PhD, Bryan S. Richardson MD & Alan D. Bocking MD

  2. CIHR Group in Fetal and Neonatal Health and Development, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and of Physiology, The Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

    Laura Nardo PhD, Lin Zhao MD, Lucy Green PhD, Fred Possmayer PhD, Bryan S. Richardson MD & Alan D. Bocking MD

  3. Centre for FOAD, Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, UK

    Laura Nardo PhD, Lin Zhao MD, Lucy Green PhD, Fred Possmayer PhD, Bryan S. Richardson MD & Alan D. Bocking MD

Authors
  1. Laura Nardo PhD
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  2. Lin Zhao MD
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  3. Lucy Green PhD
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  4. Fred Possmayer PhD
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  5. Bryan S. Richardson MD
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  6. Alan D. Bocking MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alan D. Bocking MD.

Additional information

Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Dr D. Whaley Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

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Nardo, L., Zhao, L., Green, L. et al. The Effect of Repeated Umbilical Cord Occlusions on Pulmonary Surfactant Protein mRNA Levels in the Ovine Fetus. Reprod. Sci. 12, 510–517 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsgi.2005.07.004

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsgi.2005.07.004

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