Oligohydramnios decreases platelet-derived growth factor expression in fetal rat lungs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of experimental oligohydramnios on lung growth, expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptors, and lung morphology in fetal rats.


METHODS
On day 16 of gestation, we anesthetized timed pregnant Sprague-Dawley dams and punctured uterine wall and fetal membranes of each uterine sac which resulted in oligohydramnios. The fetuses in the opposite uterine horn served as controls. On days 19 and 21 of gestation, the fetuses were delivered by cesarean section and weighed, and the lungs were dissected free and weighed.


RESULTS
Rats exposed to oligohydramnios exhibited significantly lower lung/body weight ratios on days 19 and 21 of gestation and significantly lower radial saccular counts on day 21 of gestation than did the control rats. Lung PDGF-A and PDGF-B gene and protein expression and elastin level were significantly decreased in rats exposed to oligohydramnios on days 19 and 21 of gestation. The PDGF receptor alpha and beta gene expression levels were significantly decreased in rats exposed to oligohydramnios on day 19 of gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
A decreased PDGF expression may be important in the pathogenesis of oligohydramnios-induced pulmonary hypoplasia and suggests that supplementation may provide useful therapeutic strategies.
Chen
Chung-Ming
CM
Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. cmchen@tmu.edu.tw
Wang
Leng-Fang
LF
Chou
Hsiu-Chu
HC
Lang
Yaw-Dong
YD
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004549:Elastin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D020567:Fetal Weight; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005865:Gestational Age; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C075278:platelet-derived growth factor A; D004549:Elastin