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Potential adverse effects of antenatal melatonin as a treatment for intrauterine growth restriction: findings in pregnant sheep.
Potential adverse effects of antenatal melatonin as a treatment for intrauterine growth restriction: findings in pregnant sheep.
- Source :
-
American journal of obstetrics and gynecology [Am J Obstet Gynecol] 2016 Aug; Vol. 215 (2), pp. 245.e1-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Feb 20. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: Intrauterine growth restriction is a condition in which the fetus has a birthweight and/or length <10th percentile for the gestational age. Intrauterine growth restriction can be associated with various causes, among which is low uteroplacental perfusion and chronic hypoxia during gestation. Often, intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses have increased oxidative stress; therefore, agents that decrease oxidative stress and increase utero, placental, and umbilical perfusion have been proposed as a beneficial therapeutic strategy. In this scenario, melatonin acts as an umbilical vasodilator and a potent antioxidant that has not been evaluated in pregnancies under chronic hypoxia that induce fetal growth restriction. However, this neurohormone has been proposed as a pharmacologic therapy for complicated pregnancies.<br />Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of prenatal administration of melatonin during the last trimester of pregnancy on the biometry of the growth-restricted lambs because of developmental hypoxia. Further, we aimed to determine melatonin and cortisol levels and oxidative stress markers in plasma of pregnant ewes during the treatment.<br />Study Design: High-altitude pregnant sheep received either vehicle (n = 5; 5 mL 1.4% ethanol) or melatonin (n = 7; 10 mg/kg(-1)day(-1) in 5 mL 1.4% ethanol) daily during the last one-third of gestation. Maternal plasma levels of melatonin, cortisol, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress were determined along treatment. At birth, neonates were examined, weighed, and measured (biparietal diameter, abdominal diameter, and crown-rump length).<br />Results: Antenatal treatment with melatonin markedly decreased neonatal biometry and weight at birth. Additionally, melatonin treatment increased the length of gestation by 7.5% and shifted the time of delivery. Furthermore, the prenatal treatment doubled plasma levels of melatonin and cortisol and significantly improved the antioxidant capacity of the pregnant ewes.<br />Conclusions: Our findings indicate that antenatal melatonin induces further intrauterine growth restriction but improves the maternal plasma antioxidant capacity. Additional studies should address the efficiency and safety of antenatal melatonin before clinical attempts on humans.<br /> (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Biomarkers blood
Female
Fetal Growth Retardation chemically induced
Gestational Age
Hydrocortisone blood
Melatonin blood
Melatonin pharmacology
Melatonin therapeutic use
Oxidative Stress physiology
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Sheep
Birth Weight drug effects
Fetal Development drug effects
Fetal Growth Retardation drug therapy
Melatonin adverse effects
Oxidative Stress drug effects
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1097-6868
- Volume :
- 215
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26902986
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2016.02.040