Taurine as a marker for foetal wellbeing?

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
After placental embolisation in pregnant sheep, we found elevated plasma taurine concentrations in several foetuses. These animals also had higher morbidity and mortality than foetuses with normal taurine concentrations. We therefore re-analysed our foetal growth and metabolism data with embolised animals divided into subgroups with high taurine concentrations (EH) and low taurine concentrations (EL).

OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the hypothesis that foetal plasma taurine concentrations may be used as a marker for foetal wellbeing.

METHODS:
Growth, metabolic and endocrine parameters were measured in normally grown foetal sheep and in those who had EH or EL after placental embolisation.

RESULTS:
EH animals were more compromised than the EL animals, as shown by reductions in foetal weight and hind limb length and a failure to increase growth rate (chest girth increment) after embolisation. EH foetuses were hypoxaemic, hypoglycaemic and had increased lactate concentrations. Kidney, liver and adrenal weights were increased and thymus weight was decreased in EH animals. Maternal amino acid concentrations were elevated in EL animals. Foetal amino acid concentrations were more reduced in EH animals than in EL animals. Maternal IGF-1 concentrations were increased in EL, but not EH animals.

CONCLUSIONS:
Animals with EH were less able to compensate for the effects of embolisation than animals with EL. Taurine may have been released by the tissues as a protective mechanism against hypoxia-induced inflammation, or in an attempt to maintain osmotic balance. The connection between taurine and foetal wellbeing deserves further investigation.Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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Author information

Author/s: de Boo, Hendrina A (HA); Harding, Jane E (JE);

Affiliation: The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. n.deboo(-atsign-)auckland.ac.nz

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Neonatology (Neonatology), published in Switzerland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 91 (issue 3) : pp 145-54

Dates: Created 2007/03/26; Completed 2007/05/10; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 17377398, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Amino Acids - blood
Animals
Anoxia - blood; etiology; physiopathology
Biological Markers - blood
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Fetal Death
Fetal Development
Fetal Growth Retardation - blood; etiology; physiopathology
Fetal Hypoxia - blood; etiology; physiopathology

Fetal Hypoxia - blood; etiology; physiopathology
Gestational Age
Ischemia - physiopathology
Lactic Acid - blood
Microspheres
Organ Size
Placenta - blood supply
Reference Values
Sheep - physiology
Taurine - blood

Associated Chemicals: Amino Acids (0) ; Biological Markers (0) ; Taurine (107-35-7) ; Lactic Acid (50-21-5)

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