In vivo imaging of the rodent placenta

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Medical imaging
• Translational medicine

Background:

• In vivo imaging technologies and rodent models have significantly advanced the study of placental structure, function, and disease.
• These imaging techniques share similarities with clinical tools used for human pregnancy complications, enabling easier translation of research findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review in vivo imaging technologies used in rodent placental studies.
• To synthesize research investigating placental perfusion, microvasculature, metabolism, and structure using these techniques.
• To discuss the benefits, limitations, and future directions for rodent placental imaging.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
• Optical imaging techniques

Main Results:

• Review synthesizes studies on placental perfusion, microvascular imaging, metabolism, and structure in rodents.
• Identifies benefits and limitations of various in vivo imaging modalities for placental research.
• Highlights the translational potential of rodent imaging findings for human pregnancy assessment.

Conclusions:

• In vivo imaging in rodent models is crucial for understanding placental development and disease.
• Technological advancements facilitate the translation of rodent-based placental research to human clinical applications.
• Further research is needed to address current technological limitations and knowledge gaps in placental imaging.