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In vivo MRI assessment of placental and foetal oxygenation changes in a rat model of growth restriction using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging

  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Published:
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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate whether changes in BOLD signal intensities following hyperoxygenation are related to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in a rat model.

Methods

IUGR was induced in pregnant rats by ligating the left vascular uterine pedicle at day 16 of gestation. BOLD MR imaging using a balanced steady-state free-precession (balanced-SSFP) sequence on a 1.5-T system was performed on day 19. Signal intensities (SI) before and after maternal hyperoxygenation were compared in the maternal liver and in control and growth-restricted foetoplacental units (FPUs).

Results

Maternal hyperoxygenation resulted in a significant increase in SI in all regions of interest (P < 0.05) in the 18 rats. In the control group, the SI (mean ± SD) increased by 21 % ± 15 in placentas (n = 74) and 13 % ± 8.5 in foetuses (n = 53). In the IUGR group, the increase was significantly lower: 6.5 % ± 4 in placentas (n = 36) and 7 % ± 5.5 in foetuses (n = 34) (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

BOLD MRI allows non-invasive assessment of the foetoplacental response to maternal hyperoxygenation in the rat and demonstrates its alteration in an IUGR model. This imaging method may provide a useful adjunct for the early diagnosis, evaluation, and management of human IUGR.

Key Points

• Intra-uterine growth restriction is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality.

• Blood oxygen level-dependent MRI non-invasively assesses foetoplacental response to maternal hyperoxygenation.

• In the rat, foetoplacental response to maternal hyperoxygenation is altered in IUGR.

• Functional MRI may help to assess human IUGR.

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Abbreviations

IUGR:

Intra-uterine growth restriction

FPU:

Foetoplacental unit

BOLD:

Blood oxygen level dependent

SI:

Signal intensity

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM, U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center—PARCC, 56 rue Leblanc, 75015, Paris, France

    S. Aimot-Macron, L. J. Salomon, B. Deloison, R. Thiam, C. A. Cuenod, O. Clement & N. Siauve

  2. Université Paris Descartes, UMR-S970, Paris, France

    S. Aimot-Macron, L. J. Salomon, B. Deloison, R. Thiam, C. A. Cuenod, O. Clement & N. Siauve

  3. Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France

    C. A. Cuenod, O. Clement & N. Siauve

  4. Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France

    S. Aimot-Macron, L. J. Salomon & B. Deloison

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  1. S. Aimot-Macron
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  2. L. J. Salomon
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  3. B. Deloison
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  7. N. Siauve
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Correspondence to S. Aimot-Macron.

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Aimot-Macron, S., Salomon, L.J., Deloison, B. et al. In vivo MRI assessment of placental and foetal oxygenation changes in a rat model of growth restriction using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging. Eur Radiol 23, 1335–1342 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2712-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2712-y

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