Using Ultrasonography to Define Fetal–Maternal Relationships: Moving from Humans to Mice

摘要

Ultrasoundscanningisanoninvasive,accurate,andcost-effectivemethodtocreateimagesofthefemalereproductivetractclinicallyandinresearch.Ultrasonographyisparticularlyvaluableforstudyingthedynamicrelationshipsamongmother,placenta,andfetusduringpregnancybecausethismodalitydoesnotdisturbtheongoingcourseofgestation.Importantly,thecomplexvascularchangesinthemotherinducedbypregnancyandthevascularsystemgeneratedtosupportplacentalfunctioncanbeassessedquantitativelyandfunctionallybyultrasonography.Manymousemodelsareavailablethataddressaspectsofhumanplacentalfunctionanddysfunction,buthigh-qualitymicroultrasoundtechnologysuitableforuseinpregnantmicehasbecomewidelyavailableonlyrecently.Thistechnicaladvancenowenablesreal-timerecordingofmaternal#8211;fetalinteractionsinpregnantrodents.Theabilitytoperformmicroultrasonicanalysesofparameterssuchasuterinearterialremodeling,hemodynamicchanges,placentaldevelopment,andfetalgrowthinmicenowpermitsresearchthatusesthesameimagingplatformasthatforhumanpatients.Thiscapabilitywillenhancethetranslationofinformationderivedfromrodentstudiestotheclinic.