Prenatally compromised neurons respond to brain-derived neurotrophic factor treatment in vitro.

Prenatal hypoxia affects neuronal survival and process outgrowth. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which influences neural growth, is decreased in these conditions. We tested whether addition of brain-derived neurotrophic factor enhances growth of neurons cultured from guinea pig fetuses (n=7) compromised by chronic placental insufficiency from 30-52 days gestation (term approximately 67 days).

Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects of chronic placental insufficiency on the metabolic state and organ structure in the fetal and adolescent guinea pig.

Study Design: The maternal uterine artery was ligated at day 28-30 to reduce placental function and restrict fetal growth. Whole body and tissue weights and plasma metabolites were determined at 60 days of gestation and 8 weeks of age; tissue structure was determined at the latter age in restricted and control offspring.

Is there an association between level of adult blood pressure and nephron number or renal filtration surface area?

Background: Reductions in renal filtration surface area (FSA) have been linked to development of hypertension. This study investigated whether there are direct relationships, in the adult rat, between levels of blood pressure and nephron number or total renal FSA.

Methods: F1 and F2 offspring were generated from a spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR)/Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat cross.