Ultrasound Aspects of Fetal and Extrafetal Structures in Pregnant Cats

2002 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Zambelli ◽  
B Caneppele ◽  
S Bassi ◽  
C Paladini
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Crystalline Lens ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Ultrasound Scanner

Prenatal feline fetal growth and utero-placental development were ultrasonographically evaluated using an ultrasound scanner with a 10 MHz sector probe. Uterus, placenta, embryo, fetus and fetal membranes in 16 pregnant cats were monitored during the course of pregnancy; 13 subjects underwent an ovariectomy on specific days while three subjects went to term. Various anatomic structures, fixed in Carson-buffered formalin, were sectioned and then compared to ultrasound images. By ultrasound examination it is possible to evaluate every stage of the fetal development; the gestational chamber can be seen on the 10th and the embryo inside the chamber on the 14th day. By the 20th day it is possible to evaluate all the fetal membranes, and later it is possible to appreciate organs and structures such as the stomach, intestine, eyes (crystalline lens), kidneys and the cerebral choroid plexi, on the 30th, 40th, 50th, 39th and 40th day respectively. Based on our observations, it will be simpler to locate anomalies of development or pathologies during ultrasound examination of pregnant queens.

scholarly journals Influence of infection during pregnancy on fetal development

Reproduction ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (5) ◽  
pp. R151-R162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina M Adams Waldorf ◽  
Ryan M McAdams
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Parvovirus B19 ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Organ Injury ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Varicella Zoster

Infection by bacteria, viruses, and parasites may lead to fetal death, organ injury, or limited sequelae depending on the pathogen. Here, we consider the role of infection during pregnancy in fetal development including placental development and function, which can lead to fetal growth restriction. The classical group of teratogenic pathogens is referred to as ‘TORCH’ (Toxoplasma gondii, others likeTreponema pallidum, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus) but should include a much broader group of pathogens including Parvovirus B19,Varicella zostervirus, andPlasmodium falciparumto name a few. In this review, we describe the influence of different infectionsin uteroon fetal development and the short- and long-term outcomes for the neonate. In some cases, the mechanisms used by these pathogens to disrupt fetal development are well known. Bacterial infection of the developing fetal lungs and brain begins with an inflammatory cascade resulting in cytokine injury and oxidative stress. For some pathogens likeP.falciparum, the mechanisms involve oxidative stress and apoptosis to disrupt placental and fetal growth. Anin uteroinfection may also affect the long-term health of the infant; in many cases, a viral infectionin uteroincreases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes in childhood. Understanding the varied mechanisms employed by these pathogens may enable therapies to attenuate changes in fetal development, decrease preterm birth, and improve survival.

scholarly journals Mask-R$$^{2}$$CNN: a distance-field regression version of Mask-RCNN for fetal-head delineation in ultrasound images

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Moccia ◽  
Maria Chiara Fiorentino ◽  
Emanuele Frontoni
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Fetal Head ◽  
Mean Absolute Difference ◽  
Distance Field ◽  
Feature Pyramid ◽  
End To End ◽  
Ablation Study

Abstract Background and objectives Fetal head-circumference (HC) measurement from ultrasound (US) images provides useful hints for assessing fetal growth. Such measurement is performed manually during the actual clinical practice, posing issues relevant to intra- and inter-clinician variability. This work presents a fully automatic, deep-learning-based approach to HC delineation, which we named Mask-R$$^{2}$$ 2 CNN. It advances our previous work in the field and performs HC distance-field regression in an end-to-end fashion, without requiring a priori HC localization nor any postprocessing for outlier removal. Methods Mask-R$$^{2}$$ 2 CNN follows the Mask-RCNN architecture, with a backbone inspired by feature-pyramid networks, a region-proposal network and the ROI align. The Mask-RCNN segmentation head is here modified to regress the HC distance field. Results Mask-R$$^{2}$$ 2 CNN was tested on the HC18 Challenge dataset, which consists of 999 training and 335 testing images. With a comprehensive ablation study, we showed that Mask-R$$^{2}$$ 2 CNN achieved a mean absolute difference of 1.95 mm (standard deviation $$=\pm 1.92$$ = ± 1.92  mm), outperforming other approaches in the literature. Conclusions With this work, we proposed an end-to-end model for HC distance-field regression. With our experimental results, we showed that Mask-R$$^{2}$$ 2 CNN may be an effective support for clinicians for assessing fetal growth.

scholarly journals A Potential Role and Contribution of Androgens in Placental Development and Pregnancy

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 644
Author(s):  
Agata M. Parsons ◽  
Gerrit J. Bouma
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Development ◽  
Fetal Loss ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Placental Function ◽  
Fetal Physiology ◽  
Estrogen Synthesis ◽  
And Function ◽  
Pregnancy Disorders

Successful pregnancy requires the establishment of a highly regulated maternal–fetal environment. This is achieved through the harmonious regulation of steroid hormones, which modulate both maternal and fetal physiology, and are critical for pregnancy maintenance. Defects in steroidogenesis and steroid signaling can lead to pregnancy disorders or even fetal loss. The placenta is a multifunctional, transitory organ which develops at the maternal–fetal interface, and supports fetal development through endocrine signaling, the transport of nutrients and gas exchange. The placenta has the ability to adapt to adverse environments, including hormonal variations, trying to support fetal development. However, if placental function is impaired, or its capacity to adapt is exceeded, fetal development will be compromised. The goal of this review is to explore the relevance of androgens and androgen signaling during pregnancy, specifically in placental development and function. Often considered a mere precursor to placental estrogen synthesis, the placenta in fact secretes androgens throughout pregnancy, and not only contains the androgen steroid nuclear receptor, but also non-genomic membrane receptors for androgens, suggesting a role of androgen signaling in placental function. Moreover, a number of pregnancy disorders, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction, and polycystic ovarian syndrome, are associated with abnormal androgen levels and androgen signaling. Understanding the role of androgens in the placenta will provide a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of pregnancy disorders associated with androgen elevation and its consequences.

Diabetes and pre-eclampsia affecting pregnancy: a retrospective cross-sectional study

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 728-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram R Kalagiri ◽  
Niraj Vora ◽  
Jessica L Wilson ◽  
Syeda H Afroze ◽  
Venkata N Raju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Growth Restriction ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Diabetes Status ◽  
Elevated Glucose ◽  
Post Hoc

The interaction between pre-eclampsia and diabetes mellitus (DM) is far from being completely understood. In this study, we compared normal pregnancies with those complicated with pre-eclampsia, gestational DM, and/or pre-existing diabetes to assess the effects of hyperglycemia on placental development. AnInstitutional Review Board (IRB) approved retrospective cross-sectional study with 621 subjects was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using Duncan’s post hoc test and analysis of variance. Regardless of diabetes status, patients with pre-eclampsia delivered prematurely. Patients in the group with pre-eclampsia and pregestational diabetes delivered much earlier, at 35.0±0.4 weeks, when compared with the patients that had pre-eclampsia with gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia with no diabetes (*P<0.05 for each). Additionally, patients with pre-existing diabetes who developed pre-eclampsia delivered smaller babies than those with pre-existing diabetes without pre-eclampsia (1.00±0.03, P<0.05 for each). Pre-existing diabetes with added insult of pre-eclampsia led to fetal growth restriction. This outcome validates the understanding that elevated glucose earlier in pregnancy alters placentogenesis and leads to fetal growth restriction.

Maternal Oxidative Stress, Placental Morphometry, and Fetal Growth in Diabetic Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1287-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri K. Sinzato ◽  
Estela M. Bevilacqua ◽  
Gustavo T. Volpato ◽  
Rogelio E. Hernandez-Pando ◽  
Marilza V. C. Rudge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers ◽  
Junctional Zone ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Stress Biomarkers ◽  
Vascular Walls ◽  
The Impact

The diabetic syndrome affects pregnancy, contributing to placental functional and structural disruptions and impaired fetal development, with many reports indicating tobacco-associated morbidity and perinatal mortality. In our study, an experimental rat model of diabetes and cigarette smoke exposure in pregnant rats was used to determine the impact of the combination of diabetes and exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy on maternal oxidative stress biomarkers and placental and fetal development. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin, and dams were exposed to cigarette smoke by mainstream smoke generated by a mechanical smoking device and delivered into a chamber. Four groups of dams were studied: nondiabetic (C, control) and diabetic (D) exposed to filtered air and nondiabetic (CS) and diabetic (DS) exposed to cigarette smoke prior to and during pregnancy. Maternal oxidative stress biomarkers, placental morphology, and fetal growth were determined close to term. The combination of diabetes and cigarette smoke resulted in elevated maternal blood glucose levels and increased number of small fetuses. Placentas from the DS group showed increased junctional zone and decreased labyrinthine area. The morphological alterations were characterized by extensive vascular congestion, thickness, and hyalinization of the vascular walls, numerous decidual cells with abundant glycogen, and macrophages with cytoplasmic inclusions of hemosiderin. Additionally, they showed increased glycogen accumulation and junctional zone structural derangement with ectopic giant cells. No alterations were observed in maternal oxidative stress status. Thus, our result suggests that diabetes makes pregnant rats more susceptible to the adverse effects of exposure to cigarette smoke on placental morphometry and fetal growth.

Development of Structures and Transport Functions in the Mouse Placenta

Physiology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica D. Watson ◽  
James C. Cross
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Growth Restriction ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Fetal Death ◽  
Nutrient Transport ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Mouse Mutants ◽  
Mouse Placenta

The placenta is essential for sustaining the growth of the fetus during gestation, and defects in its function result in fetal growth restriction or, if more severe, fetal death. Several molecular pathways have been identified that are essential for development of the placenta, and mouse mutants offer new insights into the cell biology of placental development and physiology of nutrient transport.

scholarly journals FP075SEVERE HYPERTENSION DURING RAT PREGNANCY ALTERS PLACENTAL DEVELOPMENT AND FETAL GROWTH

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (suppl_3) ◽  
pp. iii90-iii91
Author(s):  
Gabriela Barrientos ◽  
Ana Uceda ◽  
Jorge Toblli
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Placental Development

scholarly journals Embryonic/Fetal Development, Placentation and Glycosaminoglycans in the Female Reproductive Tract and Placenta

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herson Da Silva Costa ◽  
Felipe Venceslau Câmara ◽  
Ferdinando Fernandes Bezerra Vinicius ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Bezerra de Moura ◽  
Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Dermatan Sulfate ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Tissue Organization ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Extraembryonic Membranes

Background: Fetal attachments, placentation and embryonic development have been widely discussed in rodents such as agoutis and cavies, as well as research on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in rats and rabbits. Moreover, studies on buffalo, cattle and sheep are described in ruminants, and work has also been reported in sheep with GAGs in placentoma. However, further studies are needed in this regard, since there are reports of economic losses associated with reproductive failures described for cattle such as changes in the chorion and allantois, and in sheep in which changes between the transition from vitelline to allantois circulation have been discussed.  Review: In relation to embryonic development, detailed studies have been described in rodents such as rats (12 days old), desert mouse (15 days old) and agoutis at 30 days. Macroscopic structures such as the cephalic region, nose, optic vesicle, cervical curvature, thoracic and pelvic limbs were observed, as well as microscopic structures such as the pituitary, lung, heart, brain cavity, liver, retina, and ossification regions. There are reports of buffalo and cattle studies in ruminants describing early embryonic development. However, the research in the case of sheep is limited, meaning there is only the ultrasound examination, such as gestational diagnosis and morphometric measurement of the embryonic vesicle. Still, studies with umbilical funicular and placental development of sheep with different gestational ages can be highlighted. Regarding extraembryonic annexes, four important structures which contribute to embryonic maintenance have been reported. These are called the chorion, amnion, allantois and yolk sac, respectively, and are responsible for originating the placenta, embryonic protection, collecting metabolic waste and early embryonic nutrition. In addition, correlating the annexes gives rise to the placentation process, which were described two models; the first is transient, called chorioviteline, and the second is called chorioallantoid, which represents the definitive model. Allied to the gestational process, the importance of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans are worth mentioning, as they are essential components of the extracellular matrix. They are related in the implantation process, tissue organization during gestation, and also in placental angiogenesis, as described in ruminants (i.e. involved in the vascular growth that accompanies the development of the placenta), which in turn causes an increase in blood flow in this organ, and constitutes a determining factor for fetal development. Conclusion: Such studies regarding the embryonic development of ruminants are still limited to sonographic description and some information is only available in the context of extraembryonic membranes. For glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate and hyaluronic acid are identified in the reproductive tract and placenta. We intend to produce important information for the reproductive and sanitary management of ruminants with the information in this article, providing data to stimulate new studies aiming to minimize the occurrence of embryonic death and economic losses. In addition, further studies on GAGs are needed to better understand their true correlation with gestation, so they can intercede through supplementation and minimize reproductive losses.

scholarly journals Placental development during early pregnancy in sheep: vascular growth and expression of angiogenic factors in maternal placenta

Reproduction ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna T Grazul-Bilska ◽  
Pawel P Borowicz ◽  
Mary Lynn Johnson ◽  
Megan A Minten ◽  
Jerzy J Bilski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Vascular Development ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Angiogenic Factors ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Placental Angiogenesis ◽  
Tissue Area

Placental vascular development (angiogenesis) is critical for placental function and thus for normal embryonic/fetal growth and development. Specific environmental factors or use of assisted reproductive techniques may result in poor placental angiogenesis, which may contribute to embryonic losses and/or fetal growth retardation. Uterine tissues were collected on days 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 after mating and on day 10 after estrus (nonpregnant controls) to determine vascular development and expression of several factors involved in the regulation of angiogenesis in the endometrium. Compared with controls, several measurements of endometrial vascularity increased (P<0.001) including vascular labeling index (LI; proportion of proliferating cells), the tissue area occupied by capillaries, area per capillary (capillary size), total capillary circumference per unit of tissue area, and expression of factor VIII (marker of endothelial cells), but capillary number decreased (P<0.001). Compared with controls, mRNA for placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, angiopoietins (ANGPT) 1 and 2, ANGPT receptorTEK, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α increased (P<0.05) during early pregnancy. Vascular LI was positively correlated (P<0.05) with several measurements of vascularity and with mRNA expression of angiogenic factors. These data indicate that endometrial angiogenesis, manifested by increased vascularity and increased expression of several factors involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, is initiated very early in pregnancy. This more complete description of early placental angiogenesis may provide the foundation for determining whether placental vascular development is altered in compromised pregnancies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document