PP080. Blood pressure in the offspring of experimental preeclamptic and normotensive baboon pregnancies

K Yeung; S Heffernan; A Makris; J Lind; A Hennessy

doi:10.1016/j.preghy.2012.04.191

PP080. Blood pressure in the offspring of experimental preeclamptic and normotensive baboon pregnancies

Pregnancy Hypertens. 2012 Jul;2(3):283-4. doi: 10.1016/j.preghy.2012.04.191. Epub 2012 Jun 13.

Authors

K Yeung¹, S Heffernan², A Makris³, J Lind¹, A Hennessy⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, Sydney, Australia.
² Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
³ School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, Sydney, Australia; Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, Sydney, Australia; The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, Sydney, Australia; The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 26105402
DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2012.04.191

Abstract

Introduction: Experimental manipulation of the maternal environment in animal models has assisted with our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to fetal programming. Evidence suggests that individuals who experience a suboptimal intrauterine milieu have an increased risk of developing disease later in life. Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy known to alter the fetal environment. Such alterations lead to programming of the fetus for subsequent susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. Studies indicate that offspring from women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are at an increased risk of cardiovascular complications later in life.

Objectives: To investigate whether offspring of experimental preeclamptic baboon pregnancies have higher blood pressure compared with offspring of their experimental controls and those of normotensive pregnancies. This is a pilot study to assess the feasibility of measuring health outcomes and risk factors for experimental preeclampsia offspring.

Methods: We have successfully developed two models of preeclampsia in the baboon (Papio hamadryas) through induction of uteroplacental ischemia in late pregnancy and TNFα infusion mid pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were measured in baboon offspring from experimental preeclamptic (EPE, n=4), experimental preeclamptic control (EPE control, n=4) and normotensive pregnancies (Normal, n=12) using indirect sphygmomanometry (first and fourth Korotkoff sounds recorded). Each measurement was taken three times under identical anaesthetic and environmental conditions. Data are reported as the average ± standard deviation. A generalized linear model was applied to the data and adjusted for age and sex.

Results: There was no significant difference in SBP of offspring from EPE (97.3±7.2mm Hg, P=0.21) or EPE control (108.4±7.3mm Hg, P=0.16) when compared with offspring of normotensive pregnancies (102.6±7.3mm Hg). Similarly, there was no difference in DBP of offspring from EPE (67.5±15.4 mm Hg, P=0.72) or EPE control (61.5±15.7mm Hg, P=0.79) compared with normotensive offspring (63.9±16.7mm Hg). There was a significant difference in SBP and DBP of young (<5yrs) compared to older (⩾5yrs) animals (SBP: 96.4±7.9 versus 109.1±7.5mm Hg, P=0.003; DBP: 54.3±17.2 versus 74.4±16.4mm Hg, P=0.009). There were no differences in SBP or DBP between male and female offspring (102.1±7.7 versus 103.4±8.3mm Hg, P=0.70; 63.9±16.8 versus 64.8±18.4mm Hg, P=0.90 respectively).

Conclusion: This study has shown that offspring from experimental preeclamptic pregnancies survive and are able to undergo long-term testing of blood pressure. There does not appear to be any significant differences in blood pressure among EPE offspring and their controls. However, the opportunity to investigate offspring over an extended period of time is feasible. This will enable us to examine other parameters that affect BP of experimental preeclampsia offspring.