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Increased placental neurosteroidogenic gene expression precedes poor outcome in the preterm guinea pig

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2014

A. L. Cumberland ,
H. K. Palliser  and
J. J. Hirst
A. L. Cumberland*
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
H. K. Palliser
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
J. J. Hirst
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
*
*Address for correspondence: A. L. Cumberland, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle 2308, Australia. (Email [email protected])
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Abstract

Placental 5α-reductase (5αR) is influenced by in utero compromises and has a role in regulating neuroactive steroid concentrations in the fetus. The objective of this study was to determine if changes in placental 5αR were associated with neonatal outcome after birth. Guinea pigs were delivered by cesarean section at term (GA69, n=22) or preterm (GA62, n=36) and the placenta collected. Preterm neonates were maintained for 24 h unless their condition deteriorated before this time. Enzyme mRNA expression of 5αR type-1 and 5αR type-2 were determined using real-time PCR. All preterm neonates had significantly higher 5αR2 expression in their placenta compared with placentae from term neonates (P<0.0001). Expression was also markedly higher in the placentae from neonates that did not survive until 24 h, compared with surviving preterm neonates (P=0.04). These findings suggest differences of in utero neurosteroidogenic capacity between surviving and non-surviving preterm guinea pig neonates. The increased 5αR2 mRNA expression in the placenta of non-survivors suggests an induction of the neurosteroid pathway due to prior exposure to an in utero compromise, with such exposure possibly a predisposing factor that contributed to their poor ex utero outcome.

Keywords

allopregnanoloneplacentapretermsurvival5α-reductase
Type
Brief Report
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 74 - 78
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2014 

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