Taurine as a marker for foetal wellbeing?
BACKGROUND
After placental embolisation in pregnant sheep, we found elevated plasma taurine concentrations in several foetuses. These animals also had higher morbidity and mortality than foetuses with normal taurine concentrations. We therefore re-analysed our foetal growth and metabolism data with embolised animals divided into subgroups with high taurine concentrations (EH) and low taurine concentrations (EL).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hypothesis that foetal plasma taurine concentrations may be used as a marker for foetal wellbeing.


METHODS
Growth, metabolic and endocrine parameters were measured in normally grown foetal sheep and in those who had EH or EL after placental embolisation.


RESULTS
EH animals were more compromised than the EL animals, as shown by reductions in foetal weight and hind limb length and a failure to increase growth rate (chest girth increment) after embolisation. EH foetuses were hypoxaemic, hypoglycaemic and had increased lactate concentrations. Kidney, liver and adrenal weights were increased and thymus weight was decreased in EH animals. Maternal amino acid concentrations were elevated in EL animals. Foetal amino acid concentrations were more reduced in EH animals than in EL animals. Maternal IGF-1 concentrations were increased in EL, but not EH animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Animals with EH were less able to compensate for the effects of embolisation than animals with EL. Taurine may have been released by the tissues as a protective mechanism against hypoxia-induced inflammation, or in an attempt to maintain osmotic balance. The connection between taurine and foetal wellbeing deserves further investigation.
de Boo
Hendrina A
HA
The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. n.deboo@auckland.ac.nz
Harding
Jane E
JE
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D047109:Fetal Development; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008863:Microspheres; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply; D012016:Reference Values; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D013654:Taurine / Q000097:blood*
D000596:Amino Acids; D015415:Biomarkers; D013654:Taurine; D019344:Lactic Acid