The effect of acute hypoxia on prostaglandin release in perfused human fetal placenta

The release of prostaglandin E₂ and F_2α, thromboxane B₂ and 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α was measured in isolated human placental cotyledons perfused under high- and low-oxygen conditions. Also the effect of reoxygenation on prostaglandin production was studied. During the high-oxygen period, prostaglandin E₂ accounted for 44 % and 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α for 28 % of all prostaglandin release, and the rank order of prostaglandin release was E₂ > 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α > thromboxane B₂ > prostaglandin F_2α. Hypoxia had no significant effect on quantitative prostaglandin release, but the ration of prostaglandin E₂ to prostaglandin F_2α was significantly increased. After the hypoxic period during reoxygenation the release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α was significantly decreased, as was the ratio of 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α to thromboxane B₂. Also the ratio of the vasodilating prostaglandins (E₂, 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α) to the vasocontricting prostaglandins (thromboxane B₂, prostaglandin F_2α) was decreased during reoxygenation period. With the constant flow rate, the perfusion pressure increased during hypoxia in six and was unchanged in three preparation. The results indicate that changes in the tissue oxygenation in the placenta affect prostaglandin release in the fetal placental circulation. This may also have circulatory consequences.     

Lipopolysaccharide differently affects prostaglandin E2 levels in fetal and maternal compartments of perfused human term placenta

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the levels of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in the perfusates of the fetal and the maternal compartments of perfused human term placental tissue. Term placentas were perfused for 10h in the absence [control, (n=4)] and presence of LPS [LPS=1 microg/kg perfused placental tissue, (n=4)] in the maternal reservoir. Perfusate samples from the fetal and the maternal circulations were collected every 30 min and examined for PGE(2) levels by radio-immunoassay. PGE(2) levels in the fetal circulation were gradually increased reaching significant peak value of 479+/-159 pg/ml, as compared to PGE(2) levels in the maternal circulation (140+/-146 pg/ml) (p<0.05). After 10 hours of perfusion with control medium, PGE(2) levels in the maternal circulation (347+/-144 pg/ml) were significantly higher as compared to the fetal circulation (150+/-57 pg/ml) (p<0.05). In presence of LPS, PGE(2) levels in the fetal circulation increased reaching a peak value of 1028+/-663 pg/ml after 240 min of perfusion. The levels of PGE(2) in the control group after 240 min of perfusion were significantly lower (156+/-77 pg/ml) (p<0.05). No significant differences were detected in the levels of PGE(2) in the perfusate of the maternal compartment in presence of LPS, as compared to control. Our results suggest that the placenta may play an important role in maintaining high levels of PGE(2) in the fetal circulation and low PGE(2) levels in the maternal circulation during normal pregnancy. Moreover, placental PGE(2) release into the fetal and the maternal circulations may be differently affected in presence of intra-uterine infection/inflammation.     

The effect of zinc levels in fetal circulation on zinc clearance across the in situ perfused guinea pig placenta

Although zinc is essential for normal fetal growth and development, little is known about factors that influence its transfer across the placenta. The in situ perfused guinea pig placenta model was used to study the influence of the zinc concentration of fetal circulation on maternofetal placental zinc transfer. A placenta of the anaesthetized sow was perfused (on the fetal side) with a physiological perfusate via the umbilical vessels, with the fetus excluded. The sow was infused intravenously with 65zinc as a tracer of placental Zn clearance, and with antipyrine as an indirect indicator of maternal placental blood flow. Maternal plasma and placental effluent samples collected at intervals were counted for 65zinc by gamma counter, and the absorbance of nitrosated antipyrine was measured at 350 nm. Varying the mean zinc concentration in the perfusate from 0.176 to 1.87 mg/L had no effect on relative zinc clearance calculated as zinc clearance/antipyrine clearance (mean +/- SEM; 0.085 +/- 0.010 vs. 0.114 +/- 0.018; n = 6; p greater than 0.05). The results suggest that short-term changes in fetal zinc status do not influence placental zinc transfer.     

Local stimulation of prostaglandin production by corticotropin-releasing hormone in human fetal membranes and placenta

Corticotropin-releasing hormone is produced by the human placenta and fetal membranes, but its physiological significance is not established. We examined the possibility that CRH might affect prostaglandin output by these intra-uterine tissues. Primary cultures of amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta were established from tissue obtained from women at term elective cesarean section were maintained in the presence of increasing concentrations of synthetic hCRH. PG output at 48h was measured by radioimmunoassay. hCRH stimulated PGE2 output by amnion, chorion and placenta, but not by decidual tissue. PGF2 alpha output was stimulated in amnion, decidua and placenta but not chorion, whereas output of 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha was stimulated in all four tissues. We conclude that hCRH stimulates prostaglandin output by human placenta, decidua and the fetal membranes, raising the possibility of paracrine or autocrine interactions between CRH and prostaglandins in vivo.     

Stimulants of prostaglandin biosynthesis in human fetal membranes, uterine decidua vera and placenta

Modulation of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis by cytosolic fractions derived from homogenates of human amnion, chorion laeve, decidua vera and placenta was examined. PGF_2α and 6-oxo-PGF_1α synthesis by bovine seminal vesicle (BSV) PG synthase was stimulated by the cytosolic fractions of each tissue in a dose-dependent manner. The cytosols from decidua vera and placenta were the most effective in stimulating synthesis and also stimulated PGE₂ biosynthesis. Reduced glutathione (GSH) acted to increase the biosynthesis of PGE₂ at the expense of other PGs both in the presence and absence of various cytosols. These data are indicative that the mode of action of cytosolic fractions on the stimulation of PG biosynthesis is unlike that of GSH. Indomethacin and aspirin, inhibitors of fatty acid cyclooxygenase activity, strongly inhibited the cytosol-induced stimulation of BSV PG synthase.The cytosolic factors that stimulated PG biosynthesis exhibited differential behavior towards boiling and dialysis. The stimulatory effect of all cytosolic fractions was sensitive to boiling except in the case of chorion leave effects toward 6-oxo-PGF_1α production. In dialysis studies we found that the cytosolic components that stimulated the production of PGF_2α were not removed by dialysis except in the case of cytosol of placenta whereas the stimulatory effects of various cytosols toward the biosynthesis of PGE₂ and 6-oxo-PGF_1α were removed by dialysis. These results are indicative of the presence of endogenous factors in human intrauterine tissues that preferentially stimulate the biosynthesis of PGF_2α and 6-oxo-PGF_1α and are further suggestive that PC biosynthesis in intrauterine tissues is, at least in part, regulated by cytosolic factors.     

The effect of indomethacin on ovarian prostaglandin release in hens

Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin (PG) synthetase, will block uterine muscle electromyographic activity (EMG activity) and oviposition at a midsequence oviposition and ovulation in domestic hens, but does not block the increase in EMG activity associated with the first ovulation of a sequence. To assess the potential relationship between prostaglandin release from the ovarian follicles and EMG activity in egg-laying hens, we determined the concentrations of PGF2 alpha, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (PGFM), and PGE2 in brachial, ovarian follicular and uterine venous plasma and tissues in relation to uterine muscle EMG activity at the first ovulation and at a midsequence oviposition. The concentrations were measured after an i.m. injection (25 mg/hen) of indomethacin. In control hens sampled hourly, beginning 4 h before the peak of EMG activity at the first ovulation of a sequence, there was a sharp increase (p less than 0.05) in concentrations of PGF2 alpha and PGFM in brachial vein plasma coincident with the increase (p less than 0.05) in uterine EMG activity. Hens pretreated with indomethacin also had increased plasma PGF2 alpha and PGFM levels (p less than 0.05) in brachial vein plasma and increased uterine EMG activity (p less than 0.05) at this time. Indomethacin treatment lowered but did not eliminate mean levels of PGF2 alpha in the venous effluent from the largest preovulatory follicle at the first ovulation (36.0 +/- 9.9 ng/ml vs. 14.4 +/- 1.8 ng/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of transferrin in iron transport between maternal and fetal circulations of a perfused lobule of human placenta

The transfer of iron between the maternal and fetal circulations of an isolated perfused lobule of term human placenta was investigated using 125I-labelled or 59Fe-labelled diferric transferrin. There was negligible transplacental transfer of intact transferrin whereas nearly 4 per cent of the added 59Fe was transferred into the fetal circulation after 2 h, where it became associated with fetal transferrin. Over 20 per cent of the added 59Fe radioactivity was sequestered within the placental tissue during this period, associated with transferrin, ferritin and other uncharacterized molecules. This suggests an important role for an intracellular pool in regulating transfer. The presence of 10 mM chloroquine in the maternal circulation substantially reduced tissue accumulation of 59Fe and totally inhibited transfer to the fetus. It is concluded that the initial stages of iron transfer to the fetus involve the internalization of maternal iron-saturated transferrin bound to membrane receptors by receptor-mediated endocytosis, which can be inhibited by the drug chloroquine. Subsequently, the transplacental transfer of iron to the fetus does not involve the concomitant movement of transferrin.     

The effect of prolonged hypobaric hypoxia on growth of fetal sheep

The effect of prolonged hypobaric hypoxia on fetal sheep was studied. Pregnant ewes were subjected to an atmospheric pressure of 429 torr from 30 days to 135 days gestation (long-term study). Average fetal weight for the hypoxaemic group (3.35 +/- 0.53 kg; n = 4; mean +/- SD) was significantly lower than for the controls (4.23 +/- 0.29 kg; n = 7; P less than 0.05). A short-term study was undertaken with fetuses (n = 8) which were catheterized at 110 days gestation and whose dams were subjected to hypobaric hypoxia from 120 to 141 days gestation. The mean carotid PO2 of fetuses in the hypoxic group was 12.7 +/- 0.7 torr compared to 22.7 +/- 0.7 torr for the control group (n = 9; P less than 0.001) throughout the period of treatment. Fetal arterial oxygen content fell from 6.5 +/- 1.7 to 4.9 +/- 0.4 ml/dl (P less than 0.05), but rose to control values after 7 days due to an increase in fetal haemoglobin concentration (9.6 +/- 1.1 to 13.0 +/- 1.9 g/dl, P less than 0.001) and packed cell volume (33 +/- 3 to 45 +/- 4%, P less than 0.001). In the hypoxaemic fetuses, pH fell initially from 7.34 +/- 0.02 to 7.28 +/- 0.03 (P less than 0.05) and then recovered to 7.32 +/- 0.03 within 24 h. Mean fetal weight of the short-term hypoxic group was 3.46 +/- 0.72 kg compared to 4.15 +/- 0.51 for the control group (P less than 0.05). Both long- and short-term hypoxia produced a similar reduction in fetal body weight. The adrenal glands were significantly heavier in the hypoxic fetuses than in controls. Placental weight was not effected by hypoxia, but exposure from 30 days gestation reduced the average size of cotyledons (P less than 0.05). It is concluded that the fetal sheep increases its ability to acquire and transport oxygen in response to chronic hypoxia, but this compensation is not sufficient to prevent growth retardation or changes to the pattern of tissue growth.     

Prostaglandin synthesis in human placenta and fetal membranes

The conversion of exogenous arachidonic acid into prostaglandins was studied in human placenta and fetal membrane microsomes. Only one prostaglandin was formed, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), in fetal membrane microsomes. In placental microsomes PGE₂ was further transformed into 15 keto-PGE₂. Cofactor requirements and some characteristics of the system were studied. 1 to 3% conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins was observed in placental microsomes and 5 to 8% conversion in fetal membrane microsomes.     

Renin-like immunoreactivity in human placenta and fetal membranes

Five antibodies that stained renin in the kidney were used to investigate the presence of renin in human placenta and fetal membranes. Despite a large number of experimental approaches to enhance penetration of the immunoglobulins, only two of them showed immunostaining in placenta and fetal membranes. Staining was found in placental syncytiotrophoblast, the amnionic epithelium overlying the placenta, and in glandular epithelial cells present in the decidua adhering to the fetal membranes. It was most consistent, however, in a small infiltrating cell type dispersed through the fetoplacental layers. The two antibodies that revealed immunostaining in all preparations showed high affinity cross-reactivity with cathepsin D. Among other, less plausible, explanations, this raises the possibility that the bulk of renin found in placenta and fetal membranes is not identical to renal renin, but may be cathepsin D or a substance related to both cathepsin D and renin.     

The prostaglandin system and insulin release. Studies with the isolated perfused rat pancreas

Using the isolated perfused rat pancreas PGE₂ (1 μM and 10 μM) had no effect on basal or glucose (10 and 20 mM)-induced insulin release (IR). PGF_2α stimulated basal IR at 1 μM and inhibited IR at 10 μM. The glucose-induced IR was unaffected by this PG. Furosemide (5 and 10 mM) led to a monophasic IR at low glucose (glu) and to a potentiation of IR at high glu. Only high indomethacin (Indo) (50 μg/ml) inhibited glu-induced IR. The stimulatory effect of furosemide on IR could not be inhibited by indomethacin. However mepacrine (0.1 mM) abolished the furosemide effect. Also glu-induced IR was inhibited by mepacrine. Acetylsalicylic acid (30 mg/100 ml) had no significant influence on glu-induced IR.These findings provide evidence that phospholipase activation rather than increased PG synthesis might primarily be involved in the secretory process of insulin.     

Ultrastructure of perfusion-fixed fetal capillaries in the human placenta

Summary The ultrastructure of human placental capillaries was investigated using perfusion fixation and the freeze-fracturing technique. The capillaries have a continuous endothelium especially rich in microfilaments, whereas micropinocytotic vesicles are exceedingly scarce. The endothelial cells are connected by three types of junctions: (1) zonulae occludentes characterized by 2 to 4 focal regions of membrane contact in thin-sectioned specimens and an equal number of ridges on the membrane E-face in freeze-fractured specimens; (2) small gap junctions associated with the zonula occludens. (3) attachment plaques resembling zonulae adhaerentes in their fine structure. Endothelial cells are provided with long, circularly oriented pseudopodial extensions, which may be responsible for intermittent constrictions of the vessel lumen. These findings indicate that diaplacental transport at the level of the fetal capillary is controlled by the cytoplasm of the endothelial cells and probably occurs only to a very limited extent by way of micropinocytotic vesicles.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Drs. h.c. W. Bargmann on his 70. birthdayWith the support of the Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftThe authors acknowledge the technical help of Mrs. E. Benecci, and the criticism and discussion of Drs. D.W. Fawcett and S. Ito. We are also indebted to Mr. R. Partsch (Zeiss, Inc. New York) for helping us with the goniometric study     

Effect of insulin, prostaglandin E1 and uptake inhibitors on glucose transport in the perfused guinea-pig placenta

The effects of insulin, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and uptake inhibitors on unidirectional D-glucose influx at brush border (maternal) and basal (fetal) sides of the guinea-pig syncytotrophoblast were investigated in the intact, perfused guinea-pig placenta by rapid, paired-tracer dilution. Experiments were performed in either an in situ preparation artificially perfused through the umbilical vessels (intact maternal circulation) or in the fully isolated dually-perfused placenta in which both interfaces were studied simultaneously. Kinetic characterization of unidirectional D-glucose influx gave apparent Km values (mean +/- SEM) at maternal and fetal sides of 70 +/- 6 and 87 +/- 16 mM respectively; corresponding Vmax values were 53 +/- 3 and 82 +/- 6 mumol min-1g-1. At the fetal side (singly-perfused placenta) cytochalasin B (50 microM), ethylidene-D-glucose (100 mM) and PGE1 (1 microM) partially inhibited D-glucose uptake whereas cortisol (50 microM) and progesterone (100 microM) had no effect. Abolition of the sodium gradient across the fetal interface did not modulate the kinetics of influx. In the presence of 150 mu units ml-1 insulin (dually-perfused placenta), unidirectional uptake into the trophoblast and transplacental D-[3H]glucose transfer were unaltered. In contrast, prostaglandin E1 (1 microM) markedly reduced the Km and Vmax for D-glucose at both interfaces and the inhibitory effect was reflected in a reduction in specific transplacental D-glucose transfer. Further experiments showed that the isolated placenta releases prostaglandins (PGE; PGF2 alpha) into both circulations. Bilateral insulin perfusion did not affect either lactate release by the placenta or rapid metabolism of D-[14C]glucose to [3H]lactate (usually less than 10% effluent [14C]lactate in 5 min). An asymmetric degradation of exogenous insulin was observed in the dually-perfused placenta: uterine venous samples contained 24 +/- 7 microunits ml-1 immunoreactive insulin when compared to the arterial concentration (151 +/- 3 microU ml-1 perfusate) while no change was measureable in the fetal circulation within the same time period (152 +/- 5 microU ml-1). This asymmetry was confirmed in experiments employing [125I]insulin. These results demonstrate that glucose transport in the intact guinea-pig placenta occurs by a sodium-independent, cytochalasin B-inhibitable system which is insulin-insensitive. Prostaglandin E1 appeared to be a potent transport inhibitor which suggests that prostaglandins may be involved in the 'down' regulation of placental glucose transport in vivo.     

The effect of temporary hypoxia on prostaglandin synthesis in mouse brain cell cultures during development

Cultures of dissociated brain cells of new born mice represent a model for the study of brain development. One and two weeks old, they correspond in regard to oligodendrocyte differentiation to about the developmental stage of a human newborn and a six months old infant respectively. Such cultures were used to establish the developmental prostaglandin pattern and to study early and late recovery of prostaglandin synthesis from temporary hypoxia. Basal and bradykinin stimulated prostaglandin release were examined. Most prominently in stimulated release, the developmental prostaglandin pattern at one week showed a prevalence of PGE2 (33 +/- 4%) over PGD2 (12 +/- 5%), which in two weeks old cultures changes to an opposite distribution (PGE2 10 +/- 4%; PGD2 25 +/- 6%). This change goes parallel with the number and differentiation of oligodendrocytes. During the first day post hypoxia, imposed at the end of one week, the production of 6 oxo PGF1 alpha, PGE2, PGD2 and TXB2 was significantly decreased in two study series and increased compared to control in another. Since the arachidonic acid uptake was the same in all three series, this differential observation indicates differential early recovery. 8 days post hypoxia (late recovery), PG release was not different from control, indicating complete recovery at that time. During early recovery from hypoxia on 14 days old cultures, basal PG release was not significantly different from control, however bradykinin stimulated release was significantly inhibited in all three series. This may indicate that mainly regulatory influences on PG release in older cultures are compromised by hypoxia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Maternal to fetal transfer of free fatty acids in the in situ perfused rabbit placenta

The transfer of free fatty acids (FFA) across the placenta perfused in situ was studied in anaesthetised rabbits in late gestation. [14C]Palmitic acid and antipyrine were infused into 11 pregnant rabbits and samples collected for up to 90 min from the mother and the umbilical vessels. Levels of total FFA, radioactivity and antipyrine, a marker of placental integrity, were measured. Net FFA flux across the placenta increased with maternal FFA concentrations, confirming observations made using different methods. The specific activity of [14C]palmitic acid in perfusate also related to maternal levels and indicated that almost half of the FFA crossing the rabbit placenta must be derived from sources other than circulating maternal FFA. The composition of the perfusate FFA had a profile similar to that of circulating maternal FFA, except for an increase in a number of long chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids. These findings are consistent with maternal triacylglycerol as the other fatty acid source, with the placenta adding the longer chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids.