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Aminiotic fluid and intrauterine growth restriction in a gastroschisis fetal rat model
Antonio Roberto Franchi-Teixeira1, Maria Weber Guimarães Barreto, Barbara Nogueira
1State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil.
Insights
Gastroschisis in fetal rats is linked to restricted growth and shorter intestines. Amniotic fluid exposure duration did not affect body weight but did impact intestinal length in these models.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Fetal Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastroschisis is a congenital condition where intestines develop outside the fetus.
- Fetuses with gastroschisis often experience intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and shortened intestines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of amniotic fluid exposure on intestinal length and somatic growth in a fetal rat model of gastroschisis.
- To assess these effects at two different gestational ages.
Main Methods:
- Fetal rats underwent surgery on gestational days 18.5 and 19.5.
- Groups included fetuses with gastroschisis (G), controls (C), and sham surgeries (S).
- Body measurements and histological analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- Gastroschisis fetuses showed reduced intestinal length compared to controls and sham groups.
- Histological analysis revealed decreased intestinal villi number and size, along with serosal edema.
- No significant difference in body weight was observed between groups at either time point.
Conclusions:
- Gastroschisis directly correlates with intrauterine growth restriction.
- Amniotic fluid exposure duration did not influence body weight but significantly affected intestinal length in gastroschisis fetuses.
Unlabelled:
Fetuses with digestive anomalies such as gastroschisis may present intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and shortened intestines.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the influence caused by amniotic fluid (AF) in intestinal length and somatic growth in an experimental gastroschisis fetal model at two distinct gestational ages.
Material And Method:
Fetal rats were operated according to Correia-Pinto on 2 different days of gestation: day 18.5 (group I) and day 19.5 (group II). Each group was divided into three sub-groups: fetuses with gastroschisis (G), control (C) and sham(S). Body measurements and histological analysis were done.
Result:
Body measurement analysis showed: average body weight (g) in group I was G = 5.32, C = 5.68, S = 5.86; group II was G = 5.32, C = 5.80, S = 5.66. Average intestine weight (g) in group I was G = 0.283, C = 0.238, S = 0.231; group II was G = 0.272, C = 0.231, S = 0.233. Average intestine length (mm) in group I was G = 125, C = 216, S = 209; group II was G = 148, C = 226, S = 226. Histological analysis showed a decrease in the number and size of the intestinal microvillae and a light edema of serosa.
Conclusion:
Gastroschisis had a direct correlation with IUGR and the time of exposure of the fetuses to AF had no influence on body weight in gastroschisis fetuses but did interfere with intestinal length.
