Perivascular Adipose Tissue: A Novel Regulator of Vascular Tone in the Rat Pregnancy.

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) contributes to vasoregulation. The role of this adipose tissue bed in pregnancy has not been examined. Here, we tested the hypothesis that PVAT in pregnant rats decreases resistance artery tone.

Prenatally diagnosed fetal lung lesions with associated conotruncal heart defects: is there a genetic association?

Unlabelled: Congenital lung malformation can easily be diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. Associated extrapulmonary malformations such as heart defects and chromosomal aberrations are rare.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the natural history, outcome and other associated malformations in fetuses with lung lesions and an associated heart defect.

Steady-state levels of aquaporin 1 mRNA expression are increased in idiopathic polyhydramnios.

Objective: Polyhydramnios is a condition associated with significant perinatal morbidity. While the exact pathophysiology of this condition is unknown in the absence of obvious anatomic or organic etiologies, impaired intramembranous water transport has been shown. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that the water channel aquaporin 1 (AQP1) is expressed in human fetal membranes from term pregnancies with normal amniotic fluid (AF) volume.

A novel model of polyhydramnios: amniotic fluid volume is increased in aquaporin 1 knockout mice.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that amniotic fluid volume is increased in aquaporin 1 knockout mice.

Study Design: Transgenic mice deficient in aquaporin 1 protein were generated by targeted gene disruption, as described previously. After a cesarean section was performed, intact, individual gestational sacs were removed from the uterus and weighed.

Expression and localization of aquaporin 1 and 3 in human fetal membranes.

Objectives: Aquaporins are a family of water-selective channels that facilitate fluid movement across cell membranes. Specifically, aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) have been found to be important in osmotic water movement across membranes. Our goal in this study was (1) to determine whether AQP1 or AQP3 messenger RNA are expressed in the chorioamniotic membrane and, if present, (2) to determine the precise membrane location of these aquaporins.