Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and placental vascularization in cases of uterine blood flow restriction

Fetal Pediatr Pathol. 2013 Apr;32(2):88-96. doi: 10.3109/15513815.2012.671648. Epub 2012 Apr 19.

Abstract

Studies report transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a treatment for placental insufficiency. To induce utero-placental insufficiency in rats, the uterine artery was ligated. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was applied with a frequency of 80 Hz, pulse duration of 200 μs, and low intensity. Placental blood vessels were analyzed after immunohistochemistry. The number, caliber and area occupied by placental vessels, fetal weight and length, and placental volume were lower in cases stimulated by TENS. The interaction between ligation and stimulation by TENS was associated with reduction of all these measurements, suggesting that TENS use during pregnancy may have harmful effects on intra-uterine development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Placenta / blood supply*
  • Placental Insufficiency / therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation*