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Mechanism(s) of in utero meconium passage

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages S8–S13 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

To use sheep and rat models and demonstrate that stressors activate fetal glucocorticoid (GC) system, corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) system and cholinergic neurotransmitter system (ChNS) leading to propulsive colonic motility and in utero meconium passage. Immunohistochemical studies (IHS) were performed to localize GC-Receptors, CRF-receptors and key molecules of ChNS in sheep fetal distal colon. CRF expression in placenta and enteric endocrine cells in fetal rat system were examined and the effects of acute hypoxia on in utero meconium passage was tested. IHS confirmed localization and gestation dependent changes in GC-Rs, CRF-Rs and cholinergic markers in sheep fetal colon. Rat placenta and enteric endocrine cells express CRF and gastrointestinal tract express CRF-Rs. Hypoxia is a potent inducer of meconium passage in term fetal rats. Stress is a risk factor for in utero meconium passage and laboratory animal models can be used to develop pharmacotherapy to prevent stress-induced in utero meconium passage.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the March of Dimes Foundation (MGR) and the National Institutes of Health (JL).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA

    J Lakshmanan & M G Ross

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  1. J Lakshmanan
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  2. M G Ross
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Correspondence to M G Ross.

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Jayaraman Lakshmanan has received grant funding from NIH R03. Michael Ross has received grant funding from the March of Dimes.

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Lakshmanan, J., Ross, M. Mechanism(s) of in utero meconium passage. J Perinatol 28 (Suppl 3), S8–S13 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.144

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