Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0406 |
| Title: | Programming Effects of Short Prenatal Exposure to Dexamethasone in Sheep |
| Author(s): | Dodic M, Abouantoun T, O'Connor A, Wintour EM, Moritz KM |
| Reference: | Hypertension 2002 Nov 1;40(5):729-734 |
| Place of Study: | Australia |
| Abstract: | The aims of the present study were to see whether prenatal dexamethasone administered intravenously to the ewe between 26 to 28 days of gestation resulted in high blood pressure in male and female offspring and whether hypertension in males was modulated by testosterone status, and altered gene expression for angiotensinogen and angiotensin receptors in the brain in late gestation and in the adult. Arterial pressure at 2 years of age was significantly higher in wethers exposed to prenatal dexamethasone compared with the control group. Infusion of testosterone for 3 weeks had no effect on blood pressure in either treatment group. At 130 days of gestation, dexamethasone administered between 26 to 28 days of gestation resulted in an increased expression of angiotensinogen in hypothalamus. In addition, there was higher expression of the angiotensin receptors in medulla oblongata in group with dexamethasone treatment between 26-28 days gestation. This effect of prenatal dexamethasone treatment was still evident in females at 7 years of age. In conclusion, brief prenatal exposure of the pregnant ewe to dexamethasone leads to hypertension in adult animals of both sexes. Most interestingly, the mechanism leading to programming of hypertension might be linked with the brain angiotensin system. |
| Keyword(s): | Blood pressure, experimental Primal Health research, hypertension |
| Discussion: | No discussion mentioned for this entry |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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