Effects of maternal temperament on uterine and umbilical blood flow, expression of angiogenic proteins, and fetal growth in pregnant ossimi sheep.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Doppler and B-mode sonography in evaluating the impact of maternal temperament on hemodynamic alterations in both the fetus and uterus during ovine gestation in addition to alteration of the angiogenic protein expression and fetal biometry. Twenty Ossimi ewes were divided into two groups, more reactive (MR: 12 sheep) and less reactive (LR: 8 sheep). Several endpoints were assessed every 2 weeks (wk) from breeding to wk 20 of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken to evaluate the expression of angiogenic proteins at parturition. The resistance (RI) and pulsatility (PI) indexes of the uterine (UtA) and fetal umbilical arteries (UMA) were measured. Biometry includes: diameter of amniotic vesicles (AVD), umbilicus (UMD), fetal thoracic diameter (FTD) and metacarpal length (MCL). The UtA-PI was higher in MR compared to LR ewes between 6-12 wks of gestation (P>0.01), while a tendency was recognized at wk 14 (P=0.054). The same was true for UtA-RI during the first 8 wk of pregnancy (P < 0.03) when MR and LR animals were compared. Similarly, UMA-RI was higher in fetuses of MR than LR ewes at wk 14 (P<0.0003) and 20 (P<0.02) of pregnancy. The differences in UMA-PI reached significance at wk 6, 8, 10, and 20 (P<0.0 -0.003). Furthermore, significant changes in fetal biometry were investigated. The expressions of VEGF, NOS3 and HIF 1α were increased in the less reactive sheep (P<0.001). In conclusion, the maternal temperaments affect the Doppler, B mode as well as the expressions of mRNAs for VEGF, NOS3 and HIF 1α genes at time of parturition.