Evaluation of magnesium sulfate effects on fetus development in experimentally induced surgical fetal growth restriction in rat

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of magnesium sulfate in the prevention of fetal growth restriction due to the impaired uterine blood supply in the rat model.

Methods: A total number of 24 female rats were used in this study. They were mated overnight and randomly divided into control and treatment groups. After anesthesia and incising abdominal midline in day 17 of gestation, the uterine artery was occluded by an atraumatic clamp for 60 min. The rats of the control group received normal saline after surgery and the rats of treatment group received magnesium sulfate subcutaneously. The laparotomy was repeated on day 21 of gestation, and the number of alive and dead fetuses was counted in each horn. The viability of fetuses was evaluated. The weight of the placenta and fetuses and the distance between the head and tail as well as back to the abdomen of the fetuses were also measured. Samples of the amniotic fluid (AF) were collected during both surgeries for biochemical analyses of the glucose, urea, lactate, and pyruvate levels by an AutoAnalyzer.

Results: Among the total fetuses in ischemic horn, only 50% survived in the control group. Dead fetuses had less body consistency and had a dark color. In contrary, only 7.6% of the fetuses in the treatment group were absorbed and 92.4% were completely healthy and developed. Parameters related to placenta weight, fetus weight, fetus length, and fetus width had significant differences and those of the treatment group were higher. Glucose and lactate levels of the AF in the treatment group were significantly lower and urea level was significantly higher than the control group in day 21 of gestation. The changes in pyruvate levels were not significant.

Conclusion: In conclusion, magnesium sulfate may counteract with the effects of temporary uterine ischemia in pregnant rats and prevent intrauterine growth restriction.

Keywords:

• Embryology
• fetal growth retardation
• magnesium sulfate
• pregnancy
• rats

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Mehdi Basaki and Meysam Karami for their valuable help during this experiment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This paper is published as part of a research project supported by the University of Tabriz Research Affairs Office.