Antenatal Hypoxia Affects Pulmonary Artery Contractile Functions via Downregulating L-type Ca Channels Subunit Alpha1 C in Adult Male Offspring.

Background Antenatal intrauterine fetal hypoxia is a common pregnancy complication that has profound adverse effects on an individual's vascular health later in life. Pulmonary arteries are sensitive to hypoxia, but adverse effects of antenatal hypoxia on pulmonary vasoreactivities in the offspring remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the effects and related mechanisms of antenatal hypoxia on pulmonary artery functions in adult male offspring.

Lower maternal and fetal vitamin D status and higher placental and umbilical vitamin D receptor expression in preeclamptic pregnancies.

Objective: To explore associations between maternal and fetal vitamin D status in preeclamptic pregnancies.

Methods: A case-control experiment was carried out with proportion ratio of 1:1 (controls: n = 60 vs cases: n = 60). Blood collection of both maternal and cord were performed before and during delivery, respectively, and 25(OH)D measurement was conducted.