Effects of prolonged hypoxemia on fetal renal function and amniotic fluid volume in sheep

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the effects of prolonged hypoxemia on fetal renal function and amniotic fluid volume and composition. STUDY DESIGN: Twelve pregnant ewes underwent surgery at 115 ± 2 days after mating (term - 147 days) for the implantation of fetal vascular, bladder, and amniotic sac catheters. At 125 ± 1 days seven fetuses were studied during 6 days of hypoxemia and five control fetuses were studied over six days of normoxemia. Index values of fetal renal function and amniotic fluid volume were measured. RESULTS: During hypoxemia fetal SaO2 and PaO2 were reduced from 60.9% ± 1.6% and 21.9 ± 0.6 mm Hg to 29.6% ± 3.8% and 14.9 ± 0.8 mm Hg, respectively. Fetal hypoxemia ..