title: Variable fetal heart rate decelerations and electrocortical activities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of fetal behavioral states on baroreflex-mediated, variable fetal heart rate decelerations caused by umbilical cord occlusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five chronically instrumented fetal lambs were subjected to intermittent partial umbilical cord occlusion for 1 minute every 3 minutes, lasting 2 hours. Fetal behavioral states determined by electrocorticogram and heart rates by electrocardiogram were monitored continuously during these experiments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fetuses exhibited an alteration between low- and high-voltage electrocorticogram states. Both the depth and width of the variable fetal heart rate decelerations were greater during high-voltage than during low-voltage electrocorticogram.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amplitude and duration of variable fetal heart rate decelerations are affected by fetal behavioral states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Orange, California.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Quilligan
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ninomiya
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wakatsuki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Masaoka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003250:Constriction; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D014470:Umbilical Cord
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen