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Biomedical subjects

Sarah H Poggi

Publications and source records attributed to Sarah H Poggi.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

The impact of first-trimester screening on AMA patients' uptake of invasive testing.

OBJECTIVE: Prenatal testing for AMA includes invasive procedures such as CVS and amniocentesis, which have risks. We sought to determine the effects of first-trimester screening (FTS) on referrals for genetic counseling and patients' decisions to pursue invasive testing after FTS was offered in 2002. METHODS: We compared AMA patients presenting for prenatal care who underwent early genetic counseling (<13 weeks' gestation) from 2001 to those from 2003. Charts were reviewed for maternal age, gestational age, past obstetric history, prior CVS or amniocentesis, abnormal ultrasound findings and decision to proceed with invasive testing. The two groups were compared using Student t-test and chi-square tests. RESULTS: In 2001, 552 AMA women enrolled in prenatal care; 68 presented for early genetic counseling. In 2003, 728 AMA women enrolled in prenatal care; 172 presented for early genetic counseling. More counseled women chose genetic testing in 2003 than in 2001 (95% vs 79%, p<0.01). More patients elected an invasive procedure in 2001 compared to 2003 (71% vs 26%, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Availability of FTS results in more AMA women having early prenatal genetic counseling and choosing some form of genetic testing. Such women are less likely to choose invasive tests than those without access to FTS.

Adult↗

No phenotype associated with established lipopolysaccharide model for cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral palsy (CP) is associated with childhood spasticity, seizures, and paralysis. Oligodendrocyte damage resulting in periventicular leukomalacia (PVL) in the developing brain has been implicated. Animal models of CP have used prenatal hypoxia and infection with histopathology of PVL as the end point. To evaluate whether this histologic end point is associated with a CP phenotype, we reproduced a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model for PVL, 1 and evaluated developmental, behavioral, and motor outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: On gestational day 15, Fischer 344 rats were intracervically injected with .1 mg/kg LPS (n = 5) or saline (n = 4). After delivery, evaluation for developmental milestones was performed on days 1 to 21 (LPS = 45; control = 30 pups). Males were also tested at 2.5 months using open-field, rotarod, and anxiety tests. On day 21, 2 pups/litter were perfused for immunohistochemistry, and stained with 2 oligodendrocyte antibodies: 2', d'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CNP), and myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) with relative densities of staining assessed using NIH Image software. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U and analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: LPS pups demonstrated decreased CNP (P = .04) and PLP (P = .06) staining, replicating the model. There was no difference seen in neonatal weight, righting, negative geotaxis, cliff aversion, rooting, forelimb grasp, audio startle, air righting, eye opening, and activity. Surprisingly, LPS-exposed neonatal rats mastered forelimb placement (P < .01) and surface righting (P = .02) earlier than control rats. There were no differences between adult groups in open field distance traveled (P = .8), open-field locomotion time (P = .6), rotarod (P = .6), or anxiety (P = .7). CONCLUSION: Histologic evidence of white matter damage can be replicated using an LPS model for intrauterine inflammation. Significant phenotypic differences consistent with the motor and cognitive damage sequelae of such lesions (ie, CP) were not demonstrated. When evaluating animal models, it is important to assess not only biochemical markers for human disease, but also clinically relevant phenotypes.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗

N-methyl-D-aspartate subunit expression during mouse development altered by in utero alcohol exposure.

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders are contributors to long-term learning disabilities. By using a model for fetal alcohol syndrome, we have shown that prenatal alcohol exposure results in adult learning deficits of unknown mechanisms. In the developing hippocampus, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit NR2B triggers long-term potentiation, fundamental to learning and memory; this is supplemented by the less plastic NR2A subunit in the adult. To understand the mechanism of learning deficits in FAS, we evaluated NR2B and NR2A expression in embryonic and adult mice. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant C57Bl6/J mice were treated on gestational day 8 with alcohol or control (saline solution). Embryos were harvested at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 10 days, and brains from adult offspring were collected at 3 months (after evaluation for learning deficit). Calibrator-normalized relative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for NR2B and NR2A with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase standardization. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance. RESULTS: At 6 hours, NR2B expression in the alcohol-exposed embryos was higher than in controls (P < .01). NR2A was not expressed in either group. By 24 hours there was no difference in NR2B (P = .3). However, at 10 days NR2B was lower in alcohol-exposed animals (P = .02). In the adult brains there was a relative decrease in NR2B (P = .03) and an increase in NR2A (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Prenatal alcohol exposure during development induces NR2B expression deregulation in the embryos that persists until adulthood, when a relative increase in the less modifiable subunit NR2A occurs. This alteration in NMDA receptor subunits may underlie the learning abnormalities in fetal alcohol syndrome.

Animals↗

Role of lamellar body count for the prediction of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in non-diabetic pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: Lamellar body count is a new and fast technique to establish the presence of fetal lung maturity. We have assessed the predictive ability of lamellar body count for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in a non-diabetic population. STUDY DESIGN: We accessed a cohort of amniocenteses in non-diabetic women from 1998 to 2002 (n=102). Neonatal RDS was defined as need for surfactant, intubation, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the setting of chest X-ray findings consistent with RDS. The predictive ability of lamellar body count was compared with those of lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio and presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) using logistic regression analysis. The optimal threshold value of lamellar body count for prediction of neonatal RDS was established with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Lamellar body count ROC curve analysis identified a lamellar body count >37,000 microl(-1) as optimal diagnostic threshold for diagnosis of lung maturity, having a negative predictive value of 98%. Lamellar body count and PG, but not L/S ratio, added significantly to the prediction of RDS. CONCLUSIONS: Lamellar body count is a reliable predictor of fetal lung maturity in non-diabetic women and it can replace the L/S ratio.

Amniocentesis↗

Randomized trial of McRoberts versus lithotomy positioning to decrease the force that is applied to the fetus during delivery.

OBJECTIVE: In an effort to reduce shoulder dystocia incidence and morbidity, some obstetricians use prophylactic maternal hip hyperflexion (McRoberts maneuver), with the hope of facilitating delivery and decreasing the traction needed for delivery. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the delivery force is reduced with the prophylactic McRoberts maneuver in a prospective, objective manner. STUDY DESIGN: Between April 2002 and July 2003, we randomly assigned multiparous women with term, cephalic singleton gestations to delivery in the lithotomy or McRoberts position. A single physician used a force-measuring system that consisted of a custom glove with force sensors to record the amount of force that was exerted on the fetal head. The primary outcomes of the study were peak force (pounds; highest force needed to accomplish entire delivery), peak force for delivery of anterior shoulder (pounds), and peak force rate (pounds per second; the duration required to reach the peak force). RESULTS: The peak force was not different between the patients in the lithotomy position (n=13) versus the McRoberts position (n=14; 7.2 +/- 0.8 lbs vs 8.0 +/- 0.7 lbs; P = .5). The peak force for delivery of the anterior shoulder (6.7 +/- 0.8 lbs vs 7.1 +/- 0.7 lbs; P = .7) and peak force rate (32.3 +/- 7.0 lbs/sec vs 29.1 +/- 3.5 lbs/sec; P = .7) were not different between the patients in the lithotomy position versus the McRoberts position, respectively. There was no difference between the groups for gestational age, birth weight, incidence of diabetes mellitus, or operative vaginal delivery. The subjective degree of difficulty of the delivery correlated with the peak force (R2 = 0.53; P = .001). CONCLUSION: The use of the McRoberts maneuver before clinical diagnosis of shoulder dystocia provides no reduction in the force that is used in traction on the fetal head during vaginal delivery in multiparous patients. The acceptance of this maneuver to be used prophylactically requires re-evaluation.

Adult↗

Effect of epidural anaesthesia on clinician-applied force during vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Epidural anesthesia (EA) is used in 80% of vaginal deliveries and is linked to neonatal and maternal trauma. Our objectives were to determine (1) whether EA affected clinician-applied force on the fetus and (2) whether this force influenced perineal trauma. STUDY DESIGN: After informed consent, multiparas with term, cephalic, singletons were delivered by 1 physician wearing a sensor-equipped glove to record force exerted on the fetal head. Those with EA were compared with those without for delivery force parameters. Regression analysis was used to identify predictors of vaginal laceration. RESULTS: The force required for delivery was greater in patients with EA (n = 27) than without (n = 5) (P < .01). Clinical parameters, including birth weight (P = .31) were similar between the groups. Clinician force was similar in those with no versus first- versus second-degree laceration (P = .5). Only birth weight was predictive of laceration (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Epidural use resulted in greater clinician force required for vaginal delivery of the fetus in multiparas, but this force was not associated with perineal trauma.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

Short delay of delivery to allow corticosteroid administration in a case of preterm antepartum eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: The current recommendation for management of antepartum eclampsia is to take steps to deliver the fetus after stabilization of the maternal condition. We delayed delivery for 60 hours in a case of antepartum preterm eclampsia to allow administration of corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity enhancement. CASE: A primigravida presented with eclamptic seizure at 29 weeks' gestation without focal neurological deficits. Clinical and laboratory assessment ruled out the presence of the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets; abruption; disseminated intravascular coagulation; or acute renal failure. The fetal biometry was appropriate for gestational age, and there was a normal amount of amniotic fluid. Fetal testing was reassuring. Expectancy with intravenous magnesium sulfate infusion was continued for 60 hours, allowing administration of a course of corticosteroids for enhancement of fetal lung maturity. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: A 2-day delay in delivery in selected patients with preterm antepartum eclampsia allows administration of steroids for fetal lung maturity enhancement.

Adult↗

Prioritizing posterior arm delivery during severe shoulder dystocia.

BACKGROUND: Delivery of the posterior arm, or the Barnum maneuver, is at times used late in shoulder dystocia management algorithms, and is not often a first- or second-line management protocol. CASE: A multiparous, diabetic patient, who was morbidly obese and had a residual obstetric brachial plexus injury, experienced a precipitous second stage of labor and severe shoulder dystocia. Attempts at the McRoberts maneuver with traction failed to deliver the fetus. In lieu of alternative maneuvers or continued attempts at traction, the posterior arm was delivered and the fetal trunk followed easily. CONCLUSION: A geometric analysis reveals that using posterior arm delivery reduces the obstruction by more than a factor of two, relative to the McRoberts maneuver. We recommend earlier use of this maneuver during shoulder dystocia management.

Birth Injuries↗

Risk factors for pulmonary edema in triplet pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple gestations are known to be at increased risk for pulmonary edema. Our objective was to characterize this morbidity in a cohort of triplet pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Charts from triplet pregnancies managed by the Georgetown University Hospital Maternal-Fetal Medicine service were abstracted for demographic information and complications. Cases who developed pulmonary edema were compared with those who did not using Fisher exact test, chi(2) and Student's t-test with p <0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Of 66 triplet pregnancies with complete records, 15 (22.7%) were complicated by pulmonary edema. Patients developing this condition were more likely to be receiving magnesium sulfate therapy than those who did not [14/15 (93.3%) vs 32/51 (62.7%) p=0.049]. There was no difference between patients developing pulmonary edema and those who did not in terms of maternal age (mean+/-SD: 34.5+/-6.8 vs 34+/-4.3 years, p=0.8) or gestational age at delivery (33.3+/-2.3 vs 32.8+/-3.5 weeks, p=0.6), but the former group had smaller babies than the latter (1739+/- 369 vs 1891+/-538 g, p=0.04). Among the patients treated with magnesium sulfate, those who developed the more severe form of pulmonary edema were more likely than those who did not to have been treated for pre-eclampsia than preterm labor (6/10 (60%) vs 7/33 (21.2%), p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary edema is a common complication of triplet pregnancy. Patients receiving magnesium sulfate, having pre-eclampsia or fetal growth restriction are at increased risk for pulmonary edema, particularly in its worst clinical presentation.

Adult↗

Intrapartum risk factors for permanent brachial plexus injury.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare maternal, neonatal, and second stage of labor characteristics in shoulder dystocia deliveries that result in permanent brachial plexus injury with shoulder dystocia deliveries that result in no injury. STUDY DESIGN: Our cases were culled from a database of deliveries that resulted in permanent brachial plexus injuries and matched to control cases that were taken from a database of consecutive shoulder dystocia deliveries from one hospital. Deliveries that resulted in injury were excluded from the control cases; those cases with no recorded shoulder dystocia were excluded from the cases. Matching was for birth weight (+/-250 g), parity, and diabetic status. Rates of precipitous and prolonged second stage, operative delivery, neonatal depression, and average number of shoulder dystocia maneuvers used were compared between the two groups with chi(2) test, Fisher exact test, and the Student t test; a probability value of <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were 80 matched patients, of which 26 patients were nulliparous and 11 patients were diabetic. Mothers of the uninjured group were younger than those of the injured group (23.7+/-6.2 years vs 27.4+/-5.1 years, P<.001). The injured group had a significantly higher rate of 5-minute Apgar scores of <7 (13.9% vs 3.8%, P=.04). Differences in maternal weight, body mass index, height, race, gestational age, average number of maneuvers, head-to-body delivery interval, operative delivery rate, prolonged second stage rate, precipitous second stage rate, and sex were not significant between groups. The rates of precipitous second stage for both groups (28.0% injured and 35.0% uninjured) were more than triple the rates of prolonged second stage (9.5% injured and 11.3% uninjured). CONCLUSION: No characteristic of second-stage of labor predicts permanent brachial plexus injury. Precipitous second stage is the most prevalent labor abnormality that is associated with shoulder dystocia.

Adult↗

The role of activity-dependent neuroprotective protein in a mouse model of fetal alcohol syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the most common nongenetic cause of mental retardation. Peptides NAPVSIPQ (NAP) and SALLRSIPA (SAL), related to activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), prevent alcohol-induced damage in a mouse model of FAS. Our objective was to characterize ADNP in this model to relate this protein to the mechanisms of damage and peptide neuroprotection. STUDY DESIGN: Timed, pregnant C57Bl6/J mice were treated on day 8. Groups were control, alcohol, peptide pretreatment, or peptide alone. Embryo and decidua were harvested at 6 and 24 hours and 10 days. To evaluate ADNP expression, real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed with results presented as the ratio of ADNP-to-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) concentration. Analysis of variance was performed for overall comparisons with P<.05 considered significant. RESULTS: At 6 hours, there was no difference in ADNP between alcohol-exposed embryos compared with control embryos. At 24 hours, there was an increase in ADNP in alcohol-exposed embryos compared with controls (P<.001); these findings persisted at 10 days (P<.001). In the decidua at 6 hours, there was no difference between alcohol and control. At 24 hours, there was greater ADNP in alcohol-exposed decidua compared with controls (P<.001), which did not persist at 10 days (P=.97). Peptide pretreatment did not prevent the alcohol-induced increase in ADNP in embryo or decidua. CONCLUSION: Alcohol increased embryonic and decidual ADNP expression at 24 hours and it persisted in the embryo for 10 days. Because ADNP is a known neuroprotectant, these findings suggest that it may be released as a protective mechanism in FAS. Changes in the embryo were persistent suggesting that the embryo is more vulnerable to alcohol-induced damage than the mother.

Animals↗

Differential expression of c-fos in a mouse model of fetal alcohol syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) results in stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, and mental retardation with injury attributed to oxidative stress. Our objective was to identify signal transduction pathways expressed in a model of FAS and to quantify expression of c-fos, a gene in the stress signal pathway. STUDY DESIGN: Timed, pregnant C57Bl6/J mice were injected on E8 with saline solution or alcohol. RNA was extracted from decidua and embryo 6 and 24 hours later. Microarray analysis was used to screen gene pathways. Differential gene expression was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction with results presented as the ratio of c-fos concentration to that of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). RESULTS: Differential gene expression between alcohol and control was noted for stress signal pathway genes including c-fos. Real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that c-fos messenger RNA expression was greater in the alcohol than control decidua at 6 hours after injection (P<.01). This effect persisted at 24 hours (P<.01). There was no difference in c-fos expression in embryos whose mothers received alcohol versus control after 6 hours (P=.12) or 24 hours (P=.89). CONCLUSION: Alcohol administration during pregnancy results in differential gene expression in the stress signal pathway, particularly in c-fos. C-fos expression in the decidua increases from 6 to 24 hours after alcohol injection, but does not change in the embryo, which may contribute to alcohol-induced damage in FAS.

Animals↗

Lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio and lamellar body count. What values predict the presence of phosphatidylglycerol?

OBJECTIVE: To assess which values of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio and lamellar body count (LBC) optimally correspond to the presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG). STUDY DESIGN: A database of clear amniotic fluid specimens obtained by amniocentesis was accessed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for both L/S ratio and LBC to identify the optimal thresholds for predicting the presence of PG. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-eight patients were included in the analysis. "Trace" PG was more like "absent" PG in relation to both L/S ratio and LBC. There were significant relationships between L/S ratios and presence of PG (area under the curve = .909, P < .0001) and between LBC and presence of PG (area under the curve = .94, P < .0001). The positive predictive value of L/S ratio > 2 was 76%, and that of LBC > 30,000 was 82% in predicting the presence of PG. Optimal threshold values for the prediction of PG presence were > 3.0 for L/S ratio, which had a positive predictive value of 95% and false positive rate of 5%, and > 50,000 for LBC, with a 96% positive predictive value and 5% false positive rate. CONCLUSION: "Mature" results for PG in amniotic fluid are equivalent to an L/S ratio of > 3.0 and LBC > 50,000 and help explain the later gestational age at the appearance of lung maturity by PG than by L/S > 2 or LBC > 30,000.

Adult↗

Effect of operative vaginal delivery on the outcome of permanent brachial plexus injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether operative vaginal delivery worsens the extent and/or degree of permanent brachial plexus injury. STUDY DESIGN: We utilized a dataset (n = 104) of vaginal deliveries resulting in permanent brachial plexus injury that ultimately underwent litigation. We excluded patients on whom neonatal injury information was incomplete (n = 5). Patients who had an operative vaginal delivery (n = 33) were compared with those who did not (n = 66) in regard to neonatal outcome and the location and extent of neurologic injury. RESULTS: The 2 classes were similar in demographic and obstetric variables. There were no differences in rates of 5-minute Apgar scores < 7 (17.9%, or 5/28, vs. 5.2%, or 3/57, P = .1), complete neurologic injury to the brachial plexus (C5-T1) (39%, or 13/33, vs. 38%, or 25/66; P = 1.0) or avulsion of the nerve roots (44%, or 12/27, vs. 36%, or 18/50; P = .5) between those with operative or spontaneous vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Operative vaginal delivery did not increase the severity of impairment in a dataset of deliveries resulting in permanent brachial plexus injury.

Adult↗

Role of transvaginal sonographic cervical length in predicting spontaneous preterm delivery in triplet pregnancies with therapeutic cerclage.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of transvaginal sonographic cervical length in predicting spontaneous preterm delivery at < 32 weeks in patients with both triplet pregnancy and therapeutic cerclage. STUDY DESIGN: The maternal records of all triplet pregnancies with therapeutic cerclage and sonographic cervical length before and after cerclage were reviewed (n = 17). Each of these triplet gestations was matched with 2 triplet pregnancies without cerclage based on cervical length after cerclage (+/- 0.5 cm) and gestational age (+/- 3 weeks). Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test or chi 2 analysis, one-way analysis of variance, logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Cerclage was placed at a gestational age of 19.0 +/- 3.1 weeks (mean +/- SD) and increased cervical length from 2.0 +/- 0.7 cm to 3.1 +/- 1.4 cm (P < .05). The rate of spontaneous preterm delivery at < 32 weeks was higher among cases than controls (7/17 vs. 4/27, P = .08). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only postcerclage cervical length was predictive of spontaneous preterm delivery at < 32 weeks, with a cervical length of 3.3 cm the optimal predictor. CONCLUSION: In women with triplets and therapeutic cerclage, the only significant predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery at < 32 weeks is cervical length after cerclage placement.

Adult↗

Correlating head-to-body delivery intervals with neonatal depression in vaginal births that result in permanent brachial plexus injury.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate which variables predict neonatal depression in vaginal deliveries that result in permanent brachial plexus injury. STUDY DESIGN: With the use of a data set of litigated vaginal deliveries (n = 103 deliveries) from 1978 through 1999 that resulted in permanent brachial plexus injury, detailed delivery and neonatal and pediatric information was obtained by chart review. Neonatal depression was defined as a 5-minute Apgar score of <7. Data that were extrapolated from neonates with low Apgar scores at 5 minutes were compared with neonates with Apgar scores of > or =7 with the use of the Fisher exact test, chi(2) test, or one-way analysis of variance; a two-tailed probability value of <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Nine of 89 neonates (10%) had low 5-minute Apgar scores. Head-to-body delivery intervals (available for 36 deliveries) were significantly longer in neonates with 5-minute Apgar scores of <7 vs > or =7 (294 +/- 68 seconds vs 147 +/- 82 seconds, P <.001). Differences in other clinical variables (ie, maternal weight, gestational age, diabetes mellitus, parity, birth weight, and sex) were not significant. None of the infants in this data set, which includes those infants with neonatal depression) died or had long-term asphyxia-related sequelae in the form of speech impediments, seizures, cerebral palsy, coma, or organ dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The head-to-body delivery interval was the only significant factor in the prediction of 5-minute Apgar score of <7 in a data set of deliveries that resulted in permanent brachial plexus injury. Despite extended times (< or =6 minutes) on the perineum that resulted in a higher reduced Apgar score rate, there was no asphyxia-related morbidity.

Apgar Score↗

Differential expression of embryonic and maternal activity-dependent neuroprotective protein during mouse development.

OBJECTIVE: Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) potently enhances the survival of neurons and is regulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide, which also mediates postimplantation mouse embryonic growth. The objective of this study was to characterize ADNP in mouse embryonic tissues throughout development. STUDY DESIGN: Developmental tissues (embryo, decidua, placenta) from timed pregnant C57B16/J mice were harvested on days 6 though 18. To evaluate ADNP expression, RNA was extracted from at least three samples from three different mice per day. Five micrograms of total RNA from each sample was used per reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Immunocytochemistry with anti-ADNP-derived peptide immunoglobulin and anti-gammadelta T-cell receptor was performed on 20 microm thick fixed sections of day 9.5 uteri. RESULTS: Embryonic ADNP messenger RNA (mRNA) has a temporal pattern with greater amounts present from gestational days 9 to 16. Placental ADNP mRNA was uniformly expressed on gestational days 11 to 18. Levels of decidual ADNP mRNA were greatest early in gestation and declined until delivery. Within the decidua, ADNP and gammadelta T-cell receptor immunoreactivity was present in the same cells. CONCLUSION: The expression of ADNP during pregnancy supports a developmental role for this protein. These data indicate both embryonic and maternal sources of ADNP during the critical period of organogenesis.

Animals↗