Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy increases glucose delivery to cerebral circulations during acute hypoxemia in fetal sheep during late gestation

Jellyman, Juanita K.; Gardner, David S.; McGarrigle, Hugh H.; Fowden, Abigail L.; Giussani, Dino A.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of 2 maternal injections with dexamethasone on the calculated oxygen and glucose deliveries to fetal cerebral and peripheral circulations during acute hypoxemia in sheep. Study Design: Beginning at 124 days, ewes received 2 intramuscular injections of either dexamethasone (2 × 12 mg, n = 10) or saline solution (2 × 2 mL, n = 12) 24 hours apart. Hypoxemia (1 hour) was induced 32 hours after the first injection (H1) and 3 days after the second (H2). Results: In saline solution-treated fetuses, glucose delivery was unchanged or increased in femoral and carotid circulations, respectively, during H1 and H2. In dexamethasone-treated fetuses, the increase in glucose delivery to the head tended to be greater during H1 and was significantly enhanced in dexamethasone- vs saline solution-treated fetuses during H2. Conclusion: Two maternal injections with dexamethasone significantly enhanced glucose delivery to the head during acute hypoxemia in the ovine fetus. © 2009 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation

Jellyman, J. K., Gardner, D. S., McGarrigle, H. H., Fowden, A. L., & Giussani, D. A. (2009). Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy increases glucose delivery to cerebral circulations during acute hypoxemia in fetal sheep during late gestation. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 201(1), 82.e1-82.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2009.01.012

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 13, 2009
• Online Publication Date: Apr 16, 2009
• Publication Date: 2009-07
• Deposit Date: Mar 4, 2025
• Journal: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Print ISSN: 0002-9378
• Electronic ISSN: 1097-6868
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 201
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 82.e1-82.e8
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2009.01.012
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3084989
• Publisher URL: https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(09)00018-0/abstract
• Related Public URLs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002937809000180