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Alterations in the Maternal Peripheral Microvascular Response in Pregnancies Complicated by Preeclampsia and the Impact of Fetal Sex

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Abstract

Objective

Peripheral microvascular function is altered in preeclampsia (PE). Recent studies suggest that maternal physiology varies with fetal sex. We wanted to examine if there were sex-specific differences in maternal peripheral microvascular function in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by PE.

Methods

Peripheral microvascular responses were examined using the noninvasive technique of laser Doppler flowmetry in normotensive healthy pregnant women and in women diagnosed with PE. We measured baseline perfusion, response to thermal hyperemia, post-occlusive reperfusion, and vasodilatation in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a potent vasodilator in human skin.

Results

At 31 to 40 weeks’ gestation those women with a male fetus exhibited increased vasodilatation in response to CRH (P <0.5) and greater baseline perfusion (P <.05) than those pregnant with a female fetus. PE women pregnant with a male fetus demonstrated a significantly reduced vasodilatation in response to CRH (P <.05), reduced baseline perfusion (P <.05), and reduced response to thermal hyperemia (P <.05) compared to normotensive women pregnant with a male fetus. Microvascular function was not significantly different between preeclamptic and normotensive women with a female fetus.

Conclusion

These data show that there are differences in maternal peripheral microvascular function in relation to fetal sex.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mother and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Lookout Road, New Laniubton Heights, New South Wales, 2287, Australia

    Michael J. Stark BSc(Hons), MRCP, L. Dierkx BSc(Hons), V. L. Clifton PhD & Ian M. R. Wright MBBS, FRACP

  2. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The John Hunter Children’s Hospital Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

    Michael J. Stark BSc(Hons), MRCP, L. Dierkx BSc(Hons), V. L. Clifton PhD & Ian M. R. Wright MBBS, FRACP

Authors
  1. Michael J. Stark BSc(Hons), MRCP
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  2. L. Dierkx BSc(Hons)
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  3. V. L. Clifton PhD
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  4. Ian M. R. Wright MBBS, FRACP
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Correspondence to Ian M. R. Wright MBBS, FRACP.

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Stark, M.J., Dierkx, L., Clifton, V.L. et al. Alterations in the Maternal Peripheral Microvascular Response in Pregnancies Complicated by Preeclampsia and the Impact of Fetal Sex. Reprod. Sci. 13, 573–578 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsgi.2006.06.006

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