Decreased placental X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein in an ovine model of intrauterine growth restriction.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to assess placental apoptosis at both midgestation and near term in an ovine model of placental insufficiency (PI) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).


METHODS
At 40 days' gestational age (dGA), 2 groups of 4 ewes were exposed to hyperthermic conditions for either 55 days or 80 days to induce IUGR with necropsies at 95 (midgestation) and 130 dGA (term = 140 dGA), respectively. Blood gases were assessed and placental tissues obtained for apoptosis analyses.


RESULTS
PI-IUGR pregnancies showed: (1) a decrease in fetal O(2) saturation and pO(2) (P < .04), (2) an increase in placental villi apoptosis (P < .05) at midgestation and near term, and (3) a decrease of cotyledon X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) at both gestational periods (P < .04) with no differences in caruncle XIAP protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Placental villous apoptosis is increased at midgestation and near term in our ovine model of IUGR, and this increase is associated with a significant decrease in XIAP protein in the cotyledon of IUGR animals.
Arroyo
Juan A
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatal Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA. juan.arroyo@uchsc.edu
Anthony
Russell V
RV
Galan
Henry L
HL
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism*; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications; D005865:Gestational Age; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein