Placental and fetal hepatic growth are selectively inhibited by prolonged reductions of uterine blood flow in pregnant sheep

Abstract

Experiments were conducted in eight pregnant sheep to determine the effect on fetal growth of mechanical restriction of uterine blood flow (RUBF) between 120 days and 134 days gestation. Uterine blood flow measured in the middle uterine arteries was 40% less in RUBF animals compared with control animals at the end of the experimental period. There was no change in fetal blood gases, bodyweights, or organ weights between the two groups of animals. The rate of DNA synthesis in the right lobe of the liver was significantly less in RUBF animals (581 +/- 34 dpm micrograms-1 DNA) compared with control animals (845 +/- 44 dpm microgram-1 DNA). There was no difference in the rate of DNA synthesis in the left lobe of the liver or in any of the other organs examined. Autoradiographic examination of the placental cotyledons demonstrated that most DNA synthesis in the placenta was occurring in fetal trophoblastic cells and there was a 40% reduction in the nuclear-labelling index of placental trophoblast cells. These studies show that mild mechanical reductions in uterine blood flow in pregnant sheep results in the selective inhibition of growth in the right lobe of the fetal liver and the placental trophoblastic cells. The mechanism underlying this close association remains to be determined.