The efficiency of cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is poor in livestock with w5% of transferred cloned embryos developing to term. SCNT is associated with gross placental structural abnormalities. We aimed to identify defects in placental histology and gene expression in failing ovine cloned pregnancies to better understand why so many clones generated by SCNT die in utero. Placentomes from SCNT pregnancies (nZ9) and age matched, naturally mated controls (nZ20) were collected at two gestational age ranges (105-134 days and 135-154 days; termZ147 days). There was no effect of cloning on total placental weight. However, cloning reduced the number of placentomes at both gestational ages (105-134 days: control 55.0G4.2, clone 44.7G8.0 and 135-154 days: control 72.2G5.1, clone 36.6G5.1; P!0.001) and increased the mean individual placentome weight (105-134 days: control 10.6G1.3 g, clone 18.6G2.8 g and 135-154 days: control 6.6G0.6 g, clone 7.0G2.0 g; P!0.02). Placentomes from cloned pregnancies had a significant volume of shed trophoblast and fetal villous hemorrhage, absent in controls, at both gestational age ranges (P!0.001) that was shown to be apoptotic by activated caspase-3 immunoreactivity. Consequently, the volume of intact trophoblast was reduced and the arithmetic mean barrier thickness of trophoblast through which exchange occurs was altered (P!0.001) at both gestational age ranges in clones. In addition, cloning reduced placental expression of key genes in placental differentiation and function. Thus, cloning by SCNT results in both gross and microscopic placental abnormalities. We speculate that trophoblast apoptosis, shedding, and hemorrhage may be causal in fetal death in ovine clones. Reproduction (2007) 133 243-255

Background Maternal smoking during pregnancy can lead to serious adverse health outcomes for both women and their infants. While smoking in pregnancy has declined over time, it remains consistently higher in women with lower socioeconomic circumstances. Furthermore, fewer women in this group will successfully quit during pregnancy. Aim This study explores the barriers to smoking cessation experienced by socially disadvantaged pregnant women and investigates how interactions with health providers can influence their smoking cessation journey. Methods Women (either pregnant or birthed in the previous 10 years, who smoked or quit smoking in pregnancy) were recruited from a metropolitan public hospital antenatal clinic in South Australia and community organisations in surrounding suburbs. Seventeen women participated in qualitative semi-structured small focus groups or interviews. The focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Findings Four interconnected themes were identified: 1) smoking embedded in women’s challenging lives and pregnancies, 2) cyclic isolation and marginalisation, 3) feeling disempowered, and 4) autonomy and self-determination. Themes 3 and 4 are characterised as being two sides of a single coin in that they coexist simultaneously and are inseparable. A key finding is a strong unanimous desire for smoking cessation in pregnancy but women felt they did not have the necessary support from health providers or confidence and self-efficacy to be successful. Conclusion Women would like improvements to antenatal care that increase health practitioners’ understanding of the social and contextual healthcare barriers faced by women who smoke in pregnancy. They seek improved interventions from health providers to make informed choices about smoking cessation and would like women-centred care. Women feel that with greater support, more options for cessation strategies and consistency and encouragement from health providers they could be more successful at antenatal smoking cessation. If such changes were made, then South Australian practice could align more with best practice international guidelines for addressing smoking cessation in pregnancy, and potentially improve outcomes for women and their children.

In vitro culture (IVC) systems feature commonly in reproductive technologies used in livestock. However, these culture conditions impact on the metabolism and physiology of the developing embryos, as well as on fetal outcome. Culturing rodent embryos in simple defined media results in decreased postimplantation viability and fetal growth rate.1,2 Cytokines and growth factors are present in vivo but are absent from culture and may be causal in the perturbed fetal growth observed. Furthermore, the occurrence of large offspring syndrome (LOS) following embryo IVC in ruminants has been reported and is associated with loss of genetic imprinting.3,4 Abnormal placental development following IVC is also likely to involve perturbed expression of imprinted genes including insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) and its receptor (IGF2R). The IVC system used for this study included a control embryo transfer group without culture (ET, n = 11), in vitro cultured embryos in serum free defined medium (IVC-NS, n = 10) and in vitro cultured embryos in defined medium with human serum (IVCHS, n = 8). The cultured embryos were transferred to recipient ewes and placentomes were collected at 144–145 days gestation. Fetal weight (kg) was increased in IVCHS (5.15 ± 0.28) compared to ET (4.12 ± 0.24, P = 0.017) and IVC-NS (4.36 ± 0.27). Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify IGF2 and IGF2R mRNA expression normalized to housekeeper RpP0. Although IGF2 expression was increased in the IVCHS group (2.27 ± 0.44) when compared to ET (1.22 ± 0.37) and IVC-NS (1.17 ± 0.43) groups, this was not significant. In addition, IGF2R expression was increased in the IVCHS (0.008 ± 0.003) group compared to ET (0.003 ± 0.001) and IVC-NS (0.004 ± 0.001) groups, but this was also not significant. IGF2 and IGF2R expression were, however, positively correlated in IVCNS (r = 0.72) and IVCHS (r = 0.95) placentomes, but not control ET placentomes. The presence of serum in IVC promoted fetal growth and increased expression of IGF2 and IGF2R mRNA in placental tissue. Comparison of placental gene expression from IVCHS and naturally mated pregnancies would be valuable to assess the role of serum in placental and fetal development. (1)Bowman & McLaren, 1970.(2)Kaye & Gardner, 1999.(3)Thompson et al., 1995.(4)Young et al., 1998.

BackgroundMaternal smoking during pregnancy can lead to serious adverse health outcomes for both women and their infants. While smoking in pregnancy has declined over time, it remains consistently higher in women with lower socioeconomic circumstances. Furthermore, fewer women in this group will successfully quit during pregnancy. AimThis study explores the barriers to smoking cessation experienced by socially disadvantaged pregnant women and investigates how interactions with health providers can influence their smoking cessation journey.Methodsomen (either pregnant or birthed in the previous 10 years, who smoked or quit smoking in pregnancy) were recruited from a metropolitan public hospital antenatal clinic in South Australia and community organisations in surrounding suburbs. Seventeen women participated in qualitative semi-structured small focus groups or interviews. The focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. FindingsFour interconnected themes were identified: 1) smoking embedded in women’s challenging lives and pregnancies, 2) cyclic isolation and marginalisation, 3) feeling disempowered, and 4) autonomy and self-determination. Themes 3 and 4 are characterised as being two sides of a single coin in that they coexist simultaneously and are inseparable. A key finding is a strong unanimous desire for smoking cessation in pregnancy but women felt they did not have the necessary support from health providers or confidence and self-efficacy to be successful.ConclusionWomen would like improvements to antenatal care that increase health practitioners’ understanding of the social and contextual healthcare barriers faced by women who smoke in pregnancy. They seek assistance from health providers to make informed choices about smoking cessation and would like women-centred care. Women feel that with greater support, consistency and encouragement from health providers they could be more successful at antenatal smoking cessation.