A longitudinal study of placental perfusion using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in murine pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction To evaluate changes in placental perfusion with advancing gestation in normal murine pregnancy using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Methods Seven timed-pregnant CD-1 mice underwent DCE-MRI scanning longitudinally on gestational days (GD) 13, 15, and 17. Placentas were segmented into high (HPZ) and low perfusion zones (LPZ) using tissue-similarity-mapping. Blood perfusion of the respective regions and the whole placenta was quantified using the steepest slope method. The diameter of the maternal central canal (CC) was also measured. Results An increase in perfusion was observed between GD13 and GD17 in the overall placenta (p=0.04) and in the HPZ (p=0.02). Although perfusion in the LPZ showed a slight increasing trend, it was not significant (p=0.07). Perfusion, in units of ml/min/100ml, in the overall placenta and the HPZ were, respectively, 61.2 ± 31.2 and 106.2 ± 56.3 at GD13 (n=19 placentas), 90.3 ± 43.7 and 139 ± 55.4 at GD15 (n=20), and 104.9 ± 76.1 and 172.2 ± 85.6 at GD17 (n=14). The size of the CC increased with advancing gestation (p<0.05). Discussion Using longitudinal DCE-MRI, the gestational age-dependent perfusion change in the normal murine placenta and in its regional compartments was quantified. In mid and late gestations, placental constituent regions differ significantly in their perfusion rates. The CC diameter also showed increase with advancing gestation, which may be playing an important role toward gestational age-dependent increase in placental perfusion.

Perfusion of the placenta assessed using arterial spin labeling and ferumoxytol dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the rhesus macaque

“…We have shown insignificant enhancement of the fetal tissue and amniotic fluid throughout the DCE acquisition, providing evidence that ferumoxytol is not immediately taken up into these tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, primarily GBCA, have previously been used to enhance placental visualization and to identify maternal decidual spiral arteries in humans, the rhesus macaque, and a variety of small animal models . However, most GBCAs exchange with the extravascular space.…”

“…Magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, primarily GBCA, have previously been used to enhance placental visualization and to identify maternal decidual spiral arteries in humans, 42 the rhesus macaque, 15,16,38,43,44 and a variety of small animal models. [45][46][47][48][49][50] However, most GBCAs exchange with the extravascular space. Recently, GBCAs were shown to be at nearly undetectable levels in the fetal and placental tissue in nonhuman primates 51 after intravenous infusion for DCE MRI, but they have previously been observed in the bladder of the fetus.…”

The Modified Bushen Antai Recipe Upregulates Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors at the Maternal-Fetal Interface in Pregnant Rats with Mifepristone-Induced Pregnancy Loss

“…In our study, the Lz exhibited a dynamic change in proportion during the entire gestation period [38]. On D 14.5, it started to show a significant difference as compared with the other zones, and reached a maximum on D 16.5.…”

Diffusion and perfusion MRI of normal, preeclamptic and growth-restricted mice models reveal clear fetoplacental differences

“…Improvements in this understanding rest heavily on animal model research, which can be examined with a flexibility unavailable in human investigations 3 . Ex vivo anatomical investigations of rodents have proven valuable for unraveling essential structural details about the confines of these dynamic processes 4 – 6 , yet in vivo analyses are no less fundamental for connecting such morphologies with metabolic and transport phenomena, and their influence on health and disease 4 , 7 . Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR,MRI) offers a natural approach for achieving this, as it provides the means to measuring diffusive 8 , 9 and perfusive 10 , 11 transport of fluids and nutrients, and for spatially localizing these dynamics throughout the developmental process.…”

“…for connecting such morphologies with metabolic and transport phenomena, and their influence on health and disease 4,7 . Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR,MRI) offers a natural approach for achieving this, as it provides the means to measuring diffusive 8,9 and perfusive 10,11 transport of fluids and nutrients, and for spatially localizing these dynamics throughout the developmental process.…”