Renal and amniotic fluid responses to umbilicoplacental embolization for 20 days in fetal sheep

Research was conducted to study the influence of placental insufficiency induced by umbilicoplacental embolization on fetal renal function and amniotic fluid volume and composition. Blood glucose concentrations decreased in control fetuses while urine production increased over the 21 study days. Results indicated that the sheep model of fetal growth restriction and placental insufficiency may not duplicate changes during human pregnancies affected by intrauterine growth restriction.