Nguyen Vivian B, De Matteo Robert, Harding Richard, Stefanidis Aneta, Polglase Graeme R, Black M Jane
1 Development and Stem Cells Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
2 Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Reprod Sci. 2017 Aug;24(8):1203-1213. doi: 10.1177/1933719116681514. Epub 2016 Dec 5.
Preterm births account for approximately 10% of births worldwide, with the majority (∼80%) being moderate preterm. Our aim was to determine the effects of moderate preterm birth on survival and long-term growth of male and female offspring using an ovine model of preterm birth that was preceded by a clinically relevant dose of corticosteroids. Ewes were induced to deliver preterm or at term; those assigned to deliver preterm were administered antenatal betamethasone (11.4 mg, 2 doses, 24 hours apart). The growth (body weight and body dimensions) of offspring was monitored to adulthood (62 weeks) when the animals were humanely killed for organ collection. Survival in the immediate period following preterm birth was high (75% for both sexes). However, there were unexpected deaths between 5 and 12 weeks of age, as a result of vitamin E/selenium deficiency; this only occurred in preterm offspring. From birth until adolescence, preterm lambs were lighter than term lambs (controls). After this time, there was gradual catch-up in body weight in preterm females, whereas in preterm males, body weight remained lower than in controls. Preterm sheep were smaller in stature than controls throughout life. This clinically relevant model of preterm birth leads to equally high survival rates in both sexes and is an excellent animal model in which to examine the effects of moderate preterm birth on growth and development of organ systems into adulthood.
全球早产占分娩总数的约10%，其中大多数（约80%）为中度早产。我们的目的是使用一种早产绵羊模型来确定中度早产对雄性和雌性后代存活及长期生长的影响，该模型在早产前给予了临床相关剂量的皮质类固醇。诱导母羊早产或足月分娩；分配到早产组的母羊产前给予倍他米松（11.4毫克，分2剂，间隔24小时）。监测后代的生长情况（体重和身体尺寸）直至成年期（62周），之后对动物实施安乐死以收集器官。早产后头几周的存活率很高（两性均为75%）。然而，由于维生素E/硒缺乏，在5至12周龄之间出现了意外死亡；这种情况仅发生在早产后代中。从出生到青春期，早产羔羊比足月羔羊（对照组）体重轻。在此之后，早产雌性羔羊的体重逐渐追赶上来，而早产雄性羔羊的体重仍低于对照组。早产绵羊一生的身高都比对照组小。这种与临床相关的早产模型导致两性存活率同样高，是研究中度早产对成年期器官系统生长和发育影响的优秀动物模型。
