Related Experiment Videos
Electrocortical activity, electroocular activity, and breathing movements in fetal sheep with prolonged and graded
B S Richardson1, L Carmichael, J Homan
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Physiology, St. Joseph's Health Centre, Lawson Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Objective:
Our objective was to determine the effect of a prolonged and graded reduction in fetal arterial oxygen saturation on electrocortical activity and associated biophysical variables.
Study Design:
Fourteen unanesthetized fetal sheep were studied between 126 and 135 days' gestation with continuous monitoring of electrocortical and electroocular activity and breathing movements, during a 24-hour control period, and subsequently during 4 days of prolonged and graded hypoxemia induced by progressively lowering the maternal inspired oxygen concentration.
Results:
Graded reduction in fetal arterial oxygen saturation resulted in little change in arterial pH until close to 30% when metabolic acidemia was apparent. The incidence of low-voltage electrocortical activity, electroocular activity, and breathing movements were marginally decreased with hypoxemia alone; however, a significant decrease was not apparent until associated with the onset of fetal acidemia.
Conclusion:
Hypoxemia of a chronic nature must approach the level at which acidemia becomes apparent before a marked change in fetal behavioral activity is noted.