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Phenotypic Characterization by High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidences Differential Effects of Embryo Genotype on Intrauterine Growth Retardation in NOS3-Deficient Mice.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21178170     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The Nos3-knockout mice, deficient for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3), are affected by reductions in number and weight of the embryos and constitute a good model for some features of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Deficiencies in conceptus growth and survival may result from factors inherent to the embryo itself or from deficiencies in uterine function. In current study, we aimed to discriminate the effects of embryonic genotype, independently of maternal genotype that can affect uterine environment. Therefore, by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we characterized the phenotype of mouse fetuses defective for NOS3 (Nos3(-/-); n = 6), normal wild-type (Nos3(+/+); n = 5) and heterozygous (Nos3(+/-); n = 16). All of them were littermates obtained by breeding heterozygous mice (Nos3(+/-)); therefore, the maternal genotype was the same for all the fetuses. At Day 13.5 (i.e., Theiler stage TS 21-22), females were anesthetized and scanned with 3D-MRI. Analysis of the different measurements of the embryos and the gestational annexes showed no significant differences between Nos3(+/+) and Nos3(+/-), although there was a trend for larger sizes in Nos3(+/+), but values in Nos3(-/-) were significantly smaller than in Nos3(+/+) and Nos3(+/-). The reduction in the crown-rump length of Nos3(-/-) reached 12% when compared to Nos3(+/+) (P < 0.05); the effect was higher for head measurements (16% for occipito-snout length and biparietal diameter, P < 0.05 for both) and trunk diameter (17%, P < 0.05). Overall, the maximum area of fetuses in longitudinal planes decreased a 27% (P < 0.05) when comparing Nos3(-/-) to wild-type Nos3(+/+). Finally Nos3(-/-) showed a reduction of 29% in the maximum thickness of the placenta, which may be related to the appearance of IUGR by compromising nutritional delivery to the fetus.
Authors:
Pilar Pallares; Maria L Perez-Solana; Laura Torres-Rovira; Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2010-12-22
Journal Detail:
Title:  Biology of reproduction     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1529-7268     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2010 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-12-23     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0207224     Medline TA:  Biol Reprod     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
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