Evaluation of utero-placental and fetal hemodynamic parameters throughout gestation in pregnant mice using high-frequency ultrasound

摘要

Changes throughout gestation of maternal and fetal Doppler parameters in pregnant mice, similar to those obtained in human fetuses, using a high frequency ultrasound with a 55 MHz linear probe are described. The uterine arteries (UtA), fetal umbilical (UA) and fetal ductus venosus (DV) showed: increased peak systolic velocity (UtA, p=0.04; UA, p=0.0004; DV, p=0.02), reduced end diastolic velocity (UtA, p<0.001; UA, p<.0001; DV, p=0.01), and reduced resistance index (UtA, p=0.0004; UA, p=0.0001; DV, p=0.04) toward the end of pregnancy. The middle cerebral (MCA) and carotid arteries (CAR) showed reduced end diastolic velocity (MCA, p=0.02; CAR, p<0.0001), and resistance index (both vessels, p<0.0001). The umbilical vein showed a reduction in the pulsatile pattern (p<0.05). Increased velocities and reduced resistance index suggest a progressive increment in blood flow to the fetal mouse towards the end of pregnancy. Evaluation of fetal and utero-placental vascular parameters in CD-1 mice can be reliably performed using high frequency ultrasound.