Uterine scars after caesarean delivery: From histology to the molecular and ultrastructural level.

Uterine rupture during a trial of labor after caesarean delivery (CD) is a serious complication for mother and fetus. The lack of knowledge on histological features and molecular pathways of uterine wound healing has hindered research in this area from evolving over time. We analysed collagen content and turnover in uterine scars on a histological, molecular and ultrastructural level.

A Sustainable Translational Sheep Model for Planned Cesarean Delivery of Contraction-Free Ewes.

We evaluated whether the sheep constitutes a useful translational model to evaluate anatomical and surgical aspects of cesarean delivery (CD) from a human medical perspective with the aim of both maternal and neonatal well-being. Our hypothesis was that CD in contraction-free ewes is not associated with major complications. Primary endpoint was the transferability of anatomical conditions and surgical techniques of CD from the ewe to the human.

Alterations of materno-placento-fetal glucose homeostasis after a single course of antenatal betamethasone.

Introduction: Intrauterine growth impairment is associated with long-term metabolic changes (perinatal programming). We recently demonstrated that antenatal betamethasone (BET) decreased head circumference in term born females. Since glucose is the main energy source for fetal growth, BET-induced changes in maternal glucose homeostasis, a reduced transplacental glucose transfer or an altered fetal glucose utilization may be linked with the observed growth impairment.

Intraoperative ultrasound during repeat cesarean delivery facilitates sampling of uterine scar tissue.

Objectives: Histological examination of uterine scars provides insight into uterine wound healing and helps to develop prevention methods of uterine wall rupture after previous uterine surgery. Therefore, exact intraoperative scar identification is needed for specimen collection from the actual scar tissue. The aim of this study was to correlate pre- and intraoperative ultrasound measurements of the lower uterine segment (LUS) with histological findings of scar tissue and to evaluate the relevance of intraoperative ultrasound.

Optimized RNA isolation of FFPE uterine scar tissues for RNA expression analyses delineated by laser microdissection.

Samples for histological analyses are often formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and slide-mounted, which complicates RNA extraction for many downstream molecular applications. Furthermore, when the region of interest is extremely small due to isolation with laser microdissection (LMD), extracting RNA of adequate quality and quantity is difficult. We describe an optimized protocol for maximizing RNA output from FFPE tissue devised to identify and analyze gene expression of human maternal uterine scar tissue obtained from uterotomy scars resulting from prior cesarean deliveries.

Placenta Percreta Presents with Neoangiogenesis of Arteries with Von Willebrand Factor-Negative Endothelium.

In placenta percreta cases, large vessels are present on the precrete surface area. As these vessels are not found in normal placentation, we examined their histological structure for features that might explain the pathogenesis of neoangiogenesis induced by placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS). In two patients with placenta percreta (FIGO grade 3a) of the anterior uterine wall, one strikingly large vessel of 2 cm length was excised.

Detection of Microplastic in Human Placenta and Meconium in a Clinical Setting.

Unlabelled: Environmental pollution with microplastics (MPs) is a major and worldwide concern. Involuntary exposure to MPs by ingestion or inhalation is unavoidable. The effects on human health are still under debate, while in animals, cellular MP translocation and subsequent deleterious effects were shown.

The dilution effect and the importance of selecting the right internal control genes for RT-qPCR: a paradigmatic approach in fetal sheep.

Background: The key to understanding changes in gene expression levels using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) relies on the ability to rationalize the technique using internal control genes (ICGs). However, the use of ICGs has become increasingly problematic given that any genes, including housekeeping genes, thought to be stable across different tissue types, ages and treatment protocols, can be regulated at transcriptomic level. Our interest in prenatal glucocorticoid (GC) effects on fetal growth has resulted in our investigation of suitable ICGs relevant in this model.

Early dexamethasone treatment induces placental apoptosis in sheep.

Glucocorticoid treatment given in late pregnancy in sheep resulted in altered placental development and function. An imbalance of placental survival and apoptotic factors resulting in an increased rate of apoptosis may be involved. We have now investigated the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) in early pregnancy on binucleate cells (BNCs), placental apoptosis, and fetal sex as a determinant of these responses.