title: The effects of sildenafil citrate on feto-placental development and haemodynamics in a rabbit model of intrauterine growth restriction.
abstract: The present study evaluated the effectiveness of sildenafil citrate (SC) to improve placental and fetal growth in a diet-induced rabbit model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Pregnant rabbits were fed either ad libitum (Group C) or restricted to 50% of dietary requirements (Group R) or restricted and treated with SC (Group SC). The treatment with SC improved placental development by increasing vascularity and vessel hypertrophy in the decidua. The assessment of feto-placental haemodynamics showed higher resistance and pulsatility indices at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in fetuses treated with SC when compared with Group R, which had increased systolic peak and time-averaged mean velocities at the MCA. Furthermore, fetuses in the SC group had significantly higher biparietal and thoracic diameters and longer crown-rump lengths than fetuses in Group R. Hence, the SC group had a reduced IUGR rate and a higher kit size at birth compared with Group R. In conclusion, SC may provide potential benefits in pregnancies with placental insufficiency and IUGR, partially counteracting the negative effects of food restriction on placental development and fetal growth. However, the present study also found evidence of a possible blood overflow in the brain that warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-Tello
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arias-Álvarez
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria-Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbero-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology), Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa María
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: García-García
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology), Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lorenzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Torres-Rovira
authors.affiliation: Comparative Physiology Lab, SGIT-INIA, Avda, Puerta de Hierro, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Astiz
authors.affiliation: Comparative Physiology Lab, SGIT-INIA, Avda, Puerta de Hierro, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González-Bulnes
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Rebollar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031204:Caloric Restriction / Q000009:adverse effects; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D003656:Decidua / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010929:Placentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate