The effect of in utero hypoxia on fetal heart and brain trace metals

Saul R. Powell, Sayed Emal Wahezi, Dev Maulik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study determined the effect of in utero hypoxia on fetal heart and brain pro- and antioxidant trace metals. Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs (50-60 days gestation) were exposed to 1 h hypoxia (7% O2/93% N2) followed by 4 h reoxygenation in room air. Fetal hearts and brains were harvested and analyzed for copper, iron, magnesium and zinc. Fetal brain iron was significantly increased 28% after hypoxia and 35% by 1 h posthypoxia. Fetal brain magnesium demonstrated progressive decreases of 18% by 4 h posthypoxia. No significant effects of hypoxia were observed on heart trace metals. These results indicate that prooxidant metals may be increased and antioxidant metals may be decreased in posthypoxic fetal brain during a time when these tissues may be vulnerable to oxidative injury.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)245-248
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology
Volume16
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brain
  • Fetal hypoxia
  • Heart
  • Magnesium
  • Trace metals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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