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Maternal plasma hypertonicity is accentuated in the postterm rat.

Subhashini J Ladella1, Mina Desai, Yong Cho

  • 1Perinatal Research Laboratories, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA. mikeross@ucla.edu

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|November 25, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Postterm pregnancy in rats accentuates maternal plasma hypertonicity, leading to reduced amniotic fluid and increased fetal mortality. This suggests a shift in water flow from fetus to mother, explaining complications in postterm pregnancies.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Maternal-fetal medicine
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Pregnancy involves maternal plasma volume expansion and hypotonicity, aiding water transfer to the fetus.
  • Reduced amniotic fluid volume is common in postterm pregnancies, but mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Previous studies showed a reversal of maternal plasma hypotonicity near term in rats.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if maternal plasma hypertonicity persists and intensifies in postterm rat pregnancies.
  • To understand the physiological changes contributing to complications in postterm pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • Rat gestation was prolonged using progesterone injections.
  • Maternal and fetal plasma osmolality, hematocrit, and electrolytes were measured at 18, 21, and 24 days of gestation.

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  • Amniotic fluid volume and tissue water/electrolyte content were analyzed.

    • Main Results:

    • Postterm (24-day) pregnant rats showed significantly increased maternal and fetal plasma osmolality and electrolyte concentrations compared to term (21-day) rats.
    • Maternal and fetal hematocrit levels decreased significantly in the postterm period.
    • Postterm rats exhibited a 24% fetal mortality rate and significantly reduced amniotic fluid volume.

    Conclusions:

    • Near-term maternal plasma hypotonicity reversal is further accentuated in postterm rat pregnancies.
    • This sustained maternal hypertonicity may drive fetal-to-maternal water flow.
    • This mechanism likely contributes to oligohydramnios and increased fetal morbidity/mortality in postterm pregnancies.