Our objective is to study placental angiogenesis (development of the placental blood supply). Because the mammalian placenta is the organ through which nutrients and wastes are exchanged between the maternal and fetal systems, the size of the placental blood supply has a profound influence on the rate of fetal nutrient uptakes, and thereby on the rate of fetal growth. Factors affecting fetal development, in turn, have a dramatic effect on birth weight, which is the major determinant of survival and growth after birth. Recent techniques for altering the genetic makeup of embryos necessitate an understanding of factors that affect the subsequent growth and development of those embryos. The research will focus on determining the ontogeny of placental production of angiogenic factors throughout pregnancy (experiments 1 and 2). The role of angiogenic factors in establishing an adequate placental blood supply and in survival and growth of fetuses will be evaluated. In experiment 3, uterine space available for placental formation will be reduced to induce compensatory growth of the placenta and determine the relationships between placental compensatory growth and angiogenesis. Placental angiogenic activity will be tested by using two in vitro bioassays, as well as an in vivo bioassay, so that the ability of placental angiogenic factors to stimulate all aspects of angiogenesis can be confirmed. The ability preparations obtained from placenta to induce angiogenesis in nonpregnant uteri will be tested in experiment 4.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD022559-02
Application #
3322237
Study Section
Human Embryology and Development Subcommittee 2 (HED)
Project Start
1987-01-01
Project End
1989-12-31
Budget Start
1988-01-01
Budget End
1988-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
North Dakota State University
Department
Type
Earth Sciences/Resources
DUNS #
City
Fargo
State
ND
Country
United States
Zip Code
58108
Johnson, M L; Redmer, D A; Reynolds, L P (1997) Uterine growth, cell proliferation, and c-fos proto-oncogene expression throughout the estrous cycle in ewes. Biol Reprod 56:393-401
Johnson, M L; Redmer, D A; Reynolds, L P (1997) Effects of ovarian steroids on uterine growth, morphology, and cell proliferation in ovariectomized, steroid-treated ewes. Biol Reprod 57:588-96
Redmer, D A; Reynolds, L P (1996) Angiogenesis in the ovary. Rev Reprod 1:182-92
Zheng, J; Johnson, M L; Redmer, D A et al. (1996) Estrogen and progesterone receptors, cell proliferation, and c-fos expression in the ovine uterus during early pregnancy. Endocrinology 137:340-8
Reynolds, L P; Redmer, D A (1995) Utero-placental vascular development and placental function. J Anim Sci 73:1839-51
Johnson, M L; Redmer, D A; Reynolds, L P (1995) Quantification of lane-to-lane loading of poly(A) RNA using a biotinylated oligo(dT) probe and chemiluminescent detection. Biotechniques 19:712-5
Reynolds, L P; Redmer, D A (1992) Growth and microvascular development of the uterus during early pregnancy in ewes. Biol Reprod 47:698-708
Reynolds, L P; Killilea, S D; Redmer, D A (1992) Angiogenesis in the female reproductive system. FASEB J 6:886-92
Reynolds, L P; Millaway, D S; Kirsch, J D et al. (1990) Growth and in-vitro metabolism of placental tissues of cows from day 100 to day 250 of gestation. J Reprod Fertil 89:213-22
Millaway, D S; Redmer, D A; Kirsch, J D et al. (1989) Angiogenic activity of maternal and fetal placental tissues of ewes throughout gestation. J Reprod Fertil 86:689-96

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