Developmental and neuropathological consequences of ductal ligation in the preterm baboon.
A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) alters pulmonary mechanics and regional blood flow in the preterm infant. Its significance with respect to brain injury and brain development are unclear. We evaluated the effects of surgical ductal ligation on the preterm baboon brain. Baboons were delivered at 125 d of gestation (dg, term approximately 185 dg) and ventilated for 14 d (n = 12). The PDA was ligated 6 d after delivery (n = 7) or left untreated (n = 5). Animals were euthanized at 139 dg and brains compared histologically with gestational control fetuses (n = 7) at 140 dg. Brain and body weights were reduced (p < 0.05) in both groups of ventilated preterm animals; however, the brain to body weight ratio was increased (p < 0.01) in ligated, but not unligated newborns compared with gestational controls. No overt lesions were observed in either premature newborn group. Astrocyte density in the neocortex and hippocampus were greatest in the unligated newborns (p < 0.01). Myelination and oligodendrocytes were reduced (p < 0.05) in both premature newborn groups. The brain growth and development index was reduced, and the damage index was increased in prematurely delivered baboons. Surgical ligation of the PDA does not increase the incidence of brain injury and may be beneficial if the PDA is contributing to persistent pulmonary and hemodynamic instability.
Loeliger
Michelle
M
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. m.loeliger@unimelb.edu.au
Inder
Terrie E
TE
Dalitz
Penelope A
PA
Cain
Sarah
S
Camm
Emily J
EJ
Yoder
Bradley
B
McCurnin
Donald
D
Shaul
Phillip W
PW
Clyman
Ronald
R
Rees
Sandra M
SM
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000473:pathology; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology; D008026:Ligation; D019579:Neocortex / Q000473:pathology; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D048531:Papio papio; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth; D012119:Respiration; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013997:Time Factors