Successful propagation of any species depends on the successful completion of pregnancy and delivery of an intact, healthy fetus. Fetal growth and well-being depend on adequate nutrient and oxygen delivery across the placenta, which in turn are dependent on the maintenance and increases in maternal uteroplacental (UPBF) and fetal umbilicoplacental (UmBF) blood flows that normally occur in pregnancy. In the absence of the rise in blood flow or in the presence of maternal nutrient deficiency, fetal growth may be compromised and associated with increased fetal-neonatal mortality and morbidity, preterm birth and pregnancy complications resulting in impaired fetal-neonatal well-being. The long term objective of this project is to determine the mechanisms contributing to the maintenance and rise in UPBF and UmBF, how they relate to cardiovascular adaptation in pregnancy and development and how they are modified by maternal disease states, e.g., diabetes. To address these questions, we will study chronically instrumented nonpregnant, pregnant and fetal sheep, which provide physiologic data and observations that can be explained by parallel studies of biochemical, cellular and molecular changes that relate to regulatory mechanisms, e.g., changes in large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa) expression and function in uterine vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and regulation of UPBF and estradiol-172 (E2)-mediated VSM hyperpolarization and relaxation through cGMP-dependent mechanisms. In the proposed funding period, we will extend our knowledge of the role of BKCa in the regulation of uterine blood flow (UBF) before, during and after pregnancy, explore its role in the fetal umbilicoplacental circulation, and determine if BKCa dysfunction contributes to abnormal blood flows in specific problems associated with pregnancy, e.g., diabetes and maternal nutrient deficiency, which are world wide problems with an extensive impact on fetal-neonatal morbidity, fetal reprogramming and the occurrence of adult-onset diseases. We will address 5 specific aims: 1) does increased BKCa expression in UA VSM in normal ovine pregnancy begin in the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, contributing to the rise in UBF and the increased likelihood of successful implantation and placentation;2) what is the pattern of BKCa expression in the fetal umbilicoplacental circulation during pregnancy and does it contribute to the regulation of UmBF;3) how does maternal hyperglycemia alter BKCa channel expression and function in the maternal and fetal placental vascular beds, and what is the role of reactive oxygen species and/or cytokines;4) does maternal nutrient deficiency alter VSM BKCa expression and function contributing to the development of FGR;and 5) what is the role of BKCa in the human uterine vascular bed? These are logical extensions primarily derived from recent and ongoing studies in our labs, but also include important observations by others. These studies will improve our understanding of the regulation of UPBF and UmBF and their contribution to pregnancy complications.

Public Health Relevance

Alterations in the development and increase in maternal uteroplacental and/or fetal umbilicoplacental blood flow during pregnancy contribute to the occurrence of fetal growth restriction, fetal hypoxia/asphyxia and increases in poor pregnancy outcome. The purpose of these studies is to examine the role of K+ channels in the regulation of these blood flows in normal pregnancy, and determine if this is altered in the presence of maternal hyperglycemia, i.e., diabetes, and maternal nutrient deficiency, which are associated with an increase incidence of poor fetal growth and outcome. Understanding these principles may subsequently permit the development of strategies to improve blood flow.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD008783-36
Application #
8270331
Study Section
Pregnancy and Neonatology Study Section (PN)
Program Officer
Ilekis, John V
Project Start
1977-09-01
Project End
2014-04-30
Budget Start
2012-05-01
Budget End
2013-04-30
Support Year
36
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$309,617
Indirect Cost
$112,409
Name
University of Texas Sw Medical Center Dallas
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Dallas
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75390
Lechuga, Thomas J; Zhang, Hong-hai; Sheibani, Lili et al. (2015) Estrogen Replacement Therapy in Ovariectomized Nonpregnant Ewes Stimulates Uterine Artery Hydrogen Sulfide Biosynthesis by Selectively Up-Regulating Cystathionine ?-Synthase Expression. Endocrinology 156:2288-98
Rosenfeld, Charles R; Hynan, Linda S; Liu, Xiao-tie et al. (2014) Large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels modulate uterine ?1-adrenergic sensitivity in ovine pregnancy. Reprod Sci 21:456-64
Rosenfeld, Charles R; Roy, Timothy (2014) Prolonged uterine artery nitric oxide synthase inhibition modestly alters basal uteroplacental vasodilation in the last third of ovine pregnancy. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 307:H1196-203
Rosenfeld, Charles R; DeSpain, Kevin; Liu, Xiao-tie (2012) Defining the differential sensitivity to norepinephrine and angiotensin II in the ovine uterine vasculature. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 302:R59-67
Rosenfeld, Charles R; DeSpain, Kevin; Word, R Ann et al. (2012) Differential sensitivity to angiotensin II and norepinephrine in human uterine arteries. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 97:138-47
Rosenfeld, Charles R; Roy, Timothy (2012) Large conductance Ca2+-activated and voltage-activated K+ channels contribute to the rise and maintenance of estrogen-induced uterine vasodilation and maintenance of blood pressure. Endocrinology 153:6012-20
Khan, Liaqat H; Rosenfeld, Charles R; Liu, Xiao-Tie et al. (2010) Regulation of the cGMP-cPKG pathway and large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in uterine arteries during the ovine ovarian cycle. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 298:E222-8
Rosenfeld, Charles R; Liu, Xiao-tie; DeSpain, Kevin (2009) Pregnancy modifies the large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel and cGMP-dependent signaling pathway in uterine vascular smooth muscle. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 296:H1878-87
Miao, Darryl C; Velaphi, Sithembiso C; Roy, Timothy et al. (2008) Metabolism and synthesis of arginine vasopressin in conscious newborn sheep. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 295:E672-7
Rosenfeld, Charles R; Word, R Ann; DeSpain, Kevin et al. (2008) Large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels contribute to vascular function in nonpregnant human uterine arteries. Reprod Sci 15:651-60

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