Fetal adaptations to spontaneous hypoxemia and responses to maternal oxygen breathing

Circulatory adaptations to spontaneous hypoxemia were assessed with the microsphere method at 119-123 days gestation in ovine fetuses who were subsequently found to be growth retarded. Combined ventricular output tended to be increased and it was redistributed so that oxygen delivery to the heart wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBiology of the neonate Vol. 46; no. 6; p. 276
Main Authors Goetzman, B W, Itskovitz, J, Rudolph, A M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland 01.01.1984
Subjects
Animals
Cardiac Output
Female
Fetal Growth Retardation - etiology
Fetal Hypoxia - complications
Fetal Hypoxia - physiopathology
Heart Ventricles - embryology
Oxygen - administration & dosage
Oxygen - metabolism
Oxygen Consumption
Pregnancy
Pulmonary Circulation
Regional Blood Flow
Sheep
Umbilicus - blood supply
Ventricular Function
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Summary:Circulatory adaptations to spontaneous hypoxemia were assessed with the microsphere method at 119-123 days gestation in ovine fetuses who were subsequently found to be growth retarded. Combined ventricular output tended to be increased and it was redistributed so that oxygen delivery to the heart was increased by over 50%, oxygen delivery to the lung and placenta were decreased, and that to other organs, including the brain, were maintained. Maternal oxygen breathing for 1 h not only reversed these adaptations, but also produced an augmented lung blood flow. Umbilical blood flow was not affected. These findings have clinical implications for the growth-retarded fetus about to undergo the stress of labor.
ISSN:0006-3126
DOI:10.1159/000242077