University Library
  • Login
A gateway to Melbourne's research publications
Minerva Access is the University's Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve, and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of the University of Melbourne for a global audience.
View Item 
  • Minerva Access
  • Science
  • School of BioSciences
  • School of BioSciences - Research Publications
  • View Item
  • Minerva Access
  • Science
  • School of BioSciences
  • School of BioSciences - Research Publications
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Early detection and staging of spontaneous embryo resorption by ultrasound biomicroscopy in murine pregnancy

    Thumbnail
    Download
    published version (2.878Mb)

    Citations
    Scopus
    Web of Science
    Altmetric
    19
    19
    Author
    Flores, LE; Hildebrandt, TB; Kuehl, AA; Drews, B
    Date
    2014-05-10
    Source Title
    Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
    Publisher
    BIOMED CENTRAL LTD
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Hildebrandt, Thomas
    Affiliation
    School of BioSciences
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Document Type
    Journal Article
    Citations
    Flores, L. E., Hildebrandt, T. B., Kuehl, A. A. & Drews, B. (2014). Early detection and staging of spontaneous embryo resorption by ultrasound biomicroscopy in murine pregnancy. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY, 12 (1), https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-12-38.
    Access Status
    Open Access
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/257094
    DOI
    10.1186/1477-7827-12-38
    Abstract
    BACKGROUND: Embryo resorption is a major problem in human medicine, agricultural animal production and in conservation breeding programs. Underlying mechanisms have been investigated in the well characterised mouse model. However, post mortem studies are limited by the rapid disintegration of embryonic structures. A method to reliably identify embryo resorption in alive animals has not been established yet. In our study we aim to detect embryos undergoing resorption in vivo at the earliest possible stage by ultra-high frequency ultrasound. METHODS: In a longitudinal study, we monitored 30 pregnancies of wild type C57BI/6 mice using ultra-high frequency ultrasound (30-70 MHz), so called ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). We compared the sonoembryology of mouse conceptuses under spontaneous resorption and neighbouring healthy conceptuses and correlated the live ultrasound data with the respective histology. RESULTS: The process of embryo resorption comprised of four stages: first, the conceptus exhibited growth retardation, second, bradycardia and pericardial edema were observed, third, further development ceased and the embryo died, and finally embryo remnants were resorbed by maternal immune cells. In early gestation (day 7 and 8), growth retardation was characterized by a small embryonic cavity. The embryo and its membranes were ill defined or did not develop at all. The echodensity of the embryonic fluid increased and within one to two days, the embryo and its cavity disappeared and was transformed into echodense tissue surrounded by fluid filled caverns. In corresponding histologic preparations, fibrinoid material interspersed with maternal granulocytes and lacunae filled with maternal blood were observed. In later stages (day 9-11) resorption prone embryos were one day behind in their development compared to their normal siblings. The space between Reichert's membrane and inner yolk sac membrane was enlarged The growth retarded embryos exhibited bradycardia and ultimately cessation of heart beat. Corresponding histology showed apoptotic cells in the embryo while the placenta was still intact. In the subsequent resorption process first the embryo and then its membranes disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a temporal time course of embryo resorption. With this method, animals exhibiting embryo resorption can be targeted, enabling the investigation of underlying mechanisms before the onset of total embryo disintegration.

    Export Reference in RIS Format     

    Endnote

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".

    Refworks

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References


    Collections
    • Minerva Elements Records [45770]
    • School of BioSciences - Research Publications [1092]
    Minerva AccessDepositing Your Work (for University of Melbourne Staff and Students)NewsFAQs

    BrowseCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    My AccountLoginRegister
    StatisticsMost Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors