Increased fetal colonic muscle contractility following glucocorticoid and thyroxine therapy: implications for meconium passage

The Journal of Maternal-fetal Medicine
B RossM G Ross

Abstract

The incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid increases with advanced gestational age and fetal stress, and meconium passage is likely dependent on fetal colonic muscle function. Antenatal hormone exposure improves fetal pulmonary and cardiovascular function. We hypothesized that in utero exposure to steroid or thyroid hormones effect an increase in fetal distal colonic muscle contractility. In a randomized controlled study 126-day (term 145 days) ovine fetuses were treated with a single ultrasound-guided intramuscular injection of 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone (n = 5), betamethasone plus 60 micrograms/kg thyroxine (n = 5), or saline (n = 7). After 48 h, fetuses (128 days) were delivered, distal colon segments were removed, and peak tension responses to bethanechol (10(-8) to 10(-3) M) characterized in vitro. Peak muscle tensions were significantly greater in fetuses exposed to combined betamethasone and thyroxine therapy (989 +/- 190 g/cm2) than in saline-treated animals (509 +/- 91 g/cm2). There was difference in the maximum tension response between betamethasone alone (559 +/- 75 g/cm2) and the saline animals. The bethanechol ED50 values (2.1 +/- 0.5 x 10(-5) M) were not different among the three groups. Antenatal fetal betamet...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 16, 2004·Journal of Pediatric Surgery·Noboru OyachiJames B Atkinson
May 27, 2005·The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research·Masakatsu SaseTerry L Buchmiller
Jan 2, 2001·The Journal of Maternal-fetal Medicine·M J Nijland, M G Ross
Dec 17, 2008·Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association·J Lakshmanan, M G Ross
Dec 25, 2004·Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey·Sureshbabu N AhanyaMichael G Ross
Oct 31, 2003·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Noboru OyachiMichael G Ross

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.