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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Expression of angiogenic factors in placenta of stressed rats

Isis Paloppi Corrêa A , Rodrigo Ruano A C , Nilton Hideto Takiuti A , Rossana Pulcinelli Vieira Francisco A , Estela Bevilacqua B and Marcelo Zugaib A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

B Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

C Corresponding author. Email: rodrigoruano@usp.br

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 24(6) 851-858 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD11202
Submitted: 12 August 2011  Accepted: 8 December 2011   Published: 10 February 2012

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of stress on pregnant rats, particularly in terms of maternal, placental and fetal weight, placental morphology and placental gene expression of the angiogenic factors Vegfa and Pgf and their receptors. The parameters were evaluated on gestation Day 20. Maternal, fetal and placental weights were statistically lower in stressed animals than controls, suggesting abnormalities in gestational physiology. Morphologically the placentas of rats subjected to stress were reduced in size and weight, with few glycogen cells and a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells. Stress caused an increase in placental gene expression of Vegfa (P < 0.05) and a reduction in Pgf, Flt1 and Kdr expression (P < 0.05). It has been suggested that increased VEGF is associated with vasodilatation and hypotension, but in this model persistent hypertension was present. This study suggests that the limited hypotensive Vegfa response to stress-induced hypertension could result from reduced expression of Flt1/Kdr disrupting specific VEGF pathways. These findings may elucidate one of the multiple possible factors underlying how stress modulates placental physiology, and could aid the understanding of stress-induced gestational disorders.

Additional keywords: animal models, maternal–fetal interaction, stress.


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