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Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Jul 2023Melamine or cyanuric acid alone has low toxicity, but combined exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid was reported to cause unexpected toxicological effects. This study...
Melamine or cyanuric acid alone has low toxicity, but combined exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid was reported to cause unexpected toxicological effects. This study investigated the potential effects and toxic mechanism of combined exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid on placental and fetal development in rats. Exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid caused maternal toxicity manifested by increased abnormal symptoms and decreased body weight gain. Developmental toxic effects included a decrease in placental and fetal weights with increased fetal deaths and post-implantation loss. Melamine and cyanuric acid induced oxidative stress in the developing placenta and fetus. The placentas from rats treated with melamine and cyanuric acid showed shortening of the placental layers with histological changes, decreased cell proliferation, increased apoptotic changes, and decreased insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and placental lactogen (PL) expression levels. Fetuses from melamine- and cyanuric acid-treated dams showed increased apoptotic changes and suppressed cellular proliferation in their livers and vertebrae. Consequently, combined exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid resulted in high levels of oxidative stress and impaired placental development associated with impairment of the IGF/IGFBP and PL systems, resulting in increased apoptotic changes and reduced fetal cell proliferation.
Topics: Rats; Pregnancy; Female; Animals; Placenta; Fetal Development; Triazines
PubMed: 37247804
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113862 -
Hormones and Behavior Jul 2024Previous studies support links among maternal-fetal attachment, psychological symptoms, and hormones during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Other studies connect...
Human placental lactogen (human chorionic somatomammotropin) and oxytocin during pregnancy: Individual patterns and associations with maternal-fetal attachment, anxiety, and depression.
Previous studies support links among maternal-fetal attachment, psychological symptoms, and hormones during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Other studies connect maternal feelings and behaviors to oxytocin and suggest that an increase in oxytocin during pregnancy may prime maternal-fetal attachment. To date, researchers have not examined a possible association between maternal-fetal attachment with human placental lactogen although animal models are suggestive. In the current study, we sought to describe oxytocin and human placental lactogen levels as related to psychological constructs across pregnancy. Seventy women participated in the study. At each of three time-points (early, mid, and late pregnancy), the women had their blood drawn to assess oxytocin and human placental lactogen levels, and they completed psychological assessments measuring maternal-fetal attachment, anxiety, and depression. Our results indicate that oxytocin levels were statistically similar across pregnancy, but that human placental lactogen significantly increased across pregnancy. Results did not indicate significant associations of within-person (comparing individuals to themselves) oxytocin or human placental lactogen levels with maternal-fetal attachment. Additionally, results did not show between-person (comparing individuals to other individuals) oxytocin or human placental lactogen levels with maternal-fetal attachment. Oxytocin levels were not associated with anxiety; rather the stage of pregnancy moderated the effect of the within-person OT level on depression. Notably, increasing levels of human placental lactogen were significantly associated with increasing levels of both anxiety and depression in between subject analyses. The current study is important because it describes typical hormonal and maternal fetal attachment levels during each stage of pregnancy, and because it suggests an association between human placental lactogen and psychological symptoms during pregnancy. Future research should further elucidate these relationships.
Topics: Humans; Female; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Placental Lactogen; Adult; Anxiety; Depression; Maternal-Fetal Relations; Young Adult; Object Attachment
PubMed: 38723407
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105560 -
Cureus Jan 2024Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common endocrine disorders to occur during pregnancy due to the increase in circulating human placental lactogen... (Review)
Review
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common endocrine disorders to occur during pregnancy due to the increase in circulating human placental lactogen (hPL) and possible beta-cell sensitivity. While GDM can be managed either with diet and exercise or pharmacological interventions, it is associated with significant maternal and neonatal complications. Maternal complications include short- and long-term conditions such as pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, arrest of labor, future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular disorders. Neonates can develop hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia and have a large gestational age (LGA). New research has also highlighted another possible long-term complication for both mothers and offspring, which is the development of cancer. Cancer has various types of progression, but most cause systemic symptoms leading to a reduced quality of life. Cancer can be terminal and can affect the majority of the population; thus, significant effort is being employed to try and reduce its occurrence. This systematic review was conducted with adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest databases. Initially, 136,019 publications were identified. Through the screening process, a total of 27 publications were finalized within the scope of this paper. Most studies observing maternal cancer with a history of GDM found that there was an association between the increased risk of cancer and GDM. Specifically, these studies identified the association of GDM with breast, ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancer, as well as other non-reproductive organs such as the thyroid and pancreas. Cancer development in the offspring also presented an association with mothers who developed GDM. The most prevalent cancer evaluated was leukemia, and it was specifically associated with a maternal history of GDM. With the consistent rise in the incidence of cancer, any attempts to reduce its development are imperative to assess. While GDM is essentially a temporary condition that resolves following pregnancy in most patients, the possibility of contributing to future conditions years after its occurrence creates a sense of urgency and necessity to reduce the incidence of GDM. Researchers should be able to identify other unknown biomarkers that contribute to the development of cancer in mothers who experienced GDM as well as their infants.
PubMed: 38435884
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53328 -
Doklady Biological Sciences :... Dec 2023Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) are common pregnancy complications with similar risk factors. Although GDM is associated with PE, the exact...
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) are common pregnancy complications with similar risk factors. Although GDM is associated with PE, the exact mechanism underlying the association is unclear. The objective of this work was to study the morphofunctional and molecular changes in the placenta and peripheral blood in PE and GDM. Local and systemic changes in the production of several placental proteins were assessed along with markers of inflammation and metabolic disorders. Expression of placental lactogen, trophoblastic β1-glycoprotein, placental alpha-1-microglobulin, and proteinase 3 in villi was found to change in complicated pregnancy groups. Similarity of underlying pathogenic mechanisms was demonstrated for PE and GDM.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Diabetes, Gestational; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia
PubMed: 38066383
DOI: 10.1134/S0012496623700722 -
Nigerian Journal of Physiological... Jun 2023Human placental lactogen (HPL) is a pregnancy-related hormone produced by the placenta. The overall functions of serum HPL impacts the developing fetus and placenta. The...
Human placental lactogen (HPL) is a pregnancy-related hormone produced by the placenta. The overall functions of serum HPL impacts the developing fetus and placenta. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal serum concentration of HPL and sonographic fetal growth parameters in pregnancy induced hypertension as a marker of placental function. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a 9-month period in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria that involved 100 women with pregnancy induced hypertension. An obstetric ultrasound scan was done on all the subjects and their blood was collected for HPL evaluation using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. Maternal serum HPL had a significant positive correlation with PLA (P=0.000), estimated gestational age (P=0.000), estimated fetal weight (P=0.000) and amniotic fluid index AFI (P=0.000) and a significant negative correlation with proteinuria (P=0.047), fetal heart rate (P=0.032) and HC/AC (P=0.000). It is concluded that maternal serum HPL concentration increases as pregnancy advances and causes a significant increase in placental thickness, fetal weight and amniotic fluid volume, however, its reduction is significantly associated with the onset of pre-eclampsia, fetal distress and asymmetrical intra-uterine growth restriction. Thus, the evaluation of maternal serum HPL concentration is a reliable marker of placental function in the second half of pregnancy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Placental Lactogen; Placenta; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Fetal Weight; Prospective Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies
PubMed: 38243348
DOI: 10.54548/njps.v38i1.2 -
Biology of Reproduction Jan 2024A central determinant of pregnancy success is proper development of the conceptus (embryo/fetus and associated extraembryonic membranes including the placenta). Although...
A central determinant of pregnancy success is proper development of the conceptus (embryo/fetus and associated extraembryonic membranes including the placenta). Although the gross morphology and histology of the bovine placenta have been well studied, the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating placenta development and trophoblast differentiation and function remain essentially undefined. Here, single-cell transcriptome (scRNA-seq) analysis was performed on the day 17 bovine conceptus and chorion of day 24, 30, and 50 conceptuses (n = 3-4 samples per day) using the 10X Genomics platform. Bioinformatic analyses identified cell types and their ontogeny including trophoblast, mesenchyme, and immune cells. Loss of interferon tau-expressing trophoblast uninucleate cells occurred between days 17 and 30, whereas binucleate cells, identified based on expression of placental lactogen (CSH2) and specific pregnancy-associated glycoprotein genes (PAGs), first appeared on day 24. Several different types of uninucleate cells were present in day 24, 30, and 50 samples, but only one (day 24) or two types of binucleate cells (days 30 and 50). Cell trajectory analyses provided a conceptual framework for uninucleate cell development and binucleate cell differentiation, and bioinformatic analyses identified candidate transcription factors governing differentiation and function of the trophoblasts. The digital atlas of cell types in the developing bovine conceptus reported here serves as a resource to discover key genes and biological pathways regulating its development during the critical periods of implantation and placentation.
Topics: Pregnancy; Cattle; Animals; Female; Placenta; Trophoblasts; Placentation; Embryo Implantation; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 37707543
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad123 -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Jun 2024The term of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder includes all grades of abnormal placentation. It is crucial for pathologist provide standardized diagnostic...
PURPOSE
The term of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder includes all grades of abnormal placentation. It is crucial for pathologist provide standardized diagnostic assessment to evaluate the outcome of management strategies. Moreover, a correct and safe diagnosis is useful in the medico-legal field when it becomes difficult for the gynecologist to demonstrate the suitability and legitimacy of demolitive treatment. The purposes of our study were: (1) to assess histopathologic features according to the recent guidelines; (2) to determine if immunohistochemistry can be useful to identify extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and to measure the depth of infiltration into the myometrium to improve the diagnosis of PAS.
METHODS
The retrospective study was conducted on 30 cases of gravid hysterectomy with histopathologic diagnosis of PAS. To identify the depth of EVT, immunohistochemical stainings were performed using anti MNF116 (cytokeratins 5, 6, 8, 17, 19), actin-SM, HPL (Human Placental Lactogen), vimentin and GATA3 antibodies.
RESULTS
Our cases were graded based on the degree of invasion of the myometrium. Ten were grade 1 (33.3%), 12 grade 2 (40%) and 8 grade 3A (26.7%). EVT invasion was best seen and evident by double immunostainings with actin-SM and cytokeratins, actin-SM and HPL, actin-SM and GATA3.
CONCLUSION
The role of pathologist is decisive to determine the different grades of PAS. A better understanding of the depth of myometrial invasion can be achieved by the use of immunohistochemistry affording an important tool to obtain reproducible grading of PAS. This purpose is crucial in the setting of postoperative quality reviews and particularly in the forensic medicine field.
Topics: Humans; Female; Placenta Accreta; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Immunohistochemistry; Adult; Trophoblasts; Hysterectomy; Myometrium; GATA3 Transcription Factor; Vimentin; Keratins; Actins; Placental Lactogen
PubMed: 37535133
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07143-0 -
Journal of Neuroendocrinology Dec 2023Obesity during pregnancy represents a significant health issue and can lead to increased complications during pregnancy and impairments with breastfeeding, along with...
Obesity during pregnancy represents a significant health issue and can lead to increased complications during pregnancy and impairments with breastfeeding, along with long-term negative health consequences for both mother and offspring. In rodent models, diet-induced obesity (DIO) during pregnancy leads to poor outcomes for offspring. Using a DIO mouse model, consisting of feeding mice a high fat diet for 8 weeks before mating, we recapitulate the effect of high pup mortality within the first 3 days postpartum. To examine the activity of the dam around the time of birth, late pregnant control and DIO dams were recorded in their home cages and the behaviour of the dam immediately before and after birth was analysed. Prior to giving birth, DIO dams spent less time engaging in nesting behaviour, while after birth, DIO dams spent less time in the nest with their pups compared to control dams, indicating reduced pup-engagement in the early postpartum period. We have previously reported that lactogenic hormone action, mediated by the prolactin receptor, in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus (MPOA) is critical for the onset of normal postpartum maternal behaviour. We hypothesized that DIO dams may have lower lactogenic hormone activity during late pregnancy, which would contribute to impaired onset of normal postpartum maternal behaviour. Day 16 lactogenic activity, transport of prolactin into the brain, and plasma prolactin concentrations around birth were all similar in control and DIO dams. Moreover, endogenous pSTAT5, a marker of prolactin receptor activity, in the MPOA was unaffected by DIO. Overall, these data indicate that lactogenic activity in late pregnancy of DIO dams is not different to controls and is unlikely to play a major role in impaired onset of normal postpartum maternal behaviour.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Mice; Female; Animals; Diet, High-Fat; Prolactin; Obesity, Maternal; Receptors, Prolactin; Peripartum Period; Obesity; Maternal Behavior
PubMed: 37926066
DOI: 10.1111/jne.13350 -
Journal of Molecular Endocrinology Jan 2024Excess growth hormone (GH) has been implicated in multiple cancer types and there is increasing interest in the development of therapeutic inhibitors targeting GH-GH...
Excess growth hormone (GH) has been implicated in multiple cancer types and there is increasing interest in the development of therapeutic inhibitors targeting GH-GH receptor (GHR) signalling. Here we describe a panel of anti-GH monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated using a hybridoma approach and identify two novel inhibitory mAbs (1-8-2 and 1-46-3) that neutralised GH signalling. mAbs 1-8-2 and 1-46-3 exhibited strong inhibitory activity against GH-dependent cell growth in a Ba/F3-GHR cell viability assay, with EC50 values of 1.00 ± 0.27 and 0.5 ± 0.1 µg/mL, respectively. Cross-reactivity with the human placental hormones, placental lactogen (PL) and placental GH, was observed by ELISA, but neither antibody cross-reacted with mouse GH or human prolactin (PRL). mAb 1-8-2 had a binding affinity for GH of KD 0.62 ± 0.5 nM, while mAb 1-46-3 had a KD of 2.68 ± 0.53 nM, as determined by bio-layer interferometry. mAb 1-46-3 inhibited GH-dependent signal transduction in T-47D and LNCaP cancer cell lines and reduced GH-dependent cell growth and migration in the breast cancer cell line T-47D. mAb 1-46-3 inhibited T-47D cell viability more effectively than the GHR antagonist B2036. In conclusion, we describe two novel inhibitory anti-GH mAbs and provide in vitro evidence supporting development of these entities as anti-cancer therapeutics.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Mice; Pregnancy; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Cell Line; Growth Hormone; Placenta; Receptors, Somatotropin; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 37855323
DOI: 10.1530/JME-23-0071