Hemodynamic and metabolic responses to moderate asphyxia in brain and skeletal muscle of late-gestation fetal sheep.
The purpose of this study was to investigate metabolic and hemodynamic responses in two fetal tissues, hindlimb muscle and brain, to an episode of acute moderate asphyxia. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure changes in total hemoglobin concentration ([tHb]) and the redox state of cytochrome oxidase (COX) simultaneously in the brain and hindlimb of near-term unanesthetized fetal sheep in utero. Oxygen delivery (DO(2)) to, and consumption (VO(2)) by, each tissue was derived from the arteriovenous difference in oxygen content and blood flow, measured by implanted flow probes. One hour of moderate asphyxia (n = 11), caused by occlusion of the maternal common internal iliac artery, led to a significant fall in DO(2) to both tissues and to a significant drop in VO(2) by the head. This was associated with an initial fall in redox state COX in the leg but an increase in the brain. [tHb], and therefore blood volume, fell in the leg and increased in the brain. These data suggest the presence of a fetal metabolic response to hypoxia, which, in the brain, occurs rapidly and could be neuroprotective.
Newman
J P
JP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College London, London WC1E 6HX, United Kingdom. j.newman@ucl.ac.uk
Peebles
D M
DM
Harding
S R
SR
Springett
R
R
Hanson
M A
MA
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001775:Blood Circulation; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000196:embryology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000601:surgery; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep
D006454:Hemoglobins; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D010100:Oxygen