Increased placental neurosteroidogenic gene expression precedes poor outcome in the preterm guinea pig

Placental 5a-reductase (5aR) is influenced by in utero compromises and has a role in regulating neuroactive steroid concentrations in the fetus. The objective of this study was to determine if changes in placental 5aR were associated with neonatal outcome after birth. Guinea pigs were delivered by cesarean section at term (GA69, n=22) or preterm (GA62, n=36) and the placenta collected. Preterm neonates were maintained for 24 h unless their condition deteriorated before this time. Enzyme mRNA expression of 5aR type-1 and 5aR type-2 were determined using real-time PCR. All preterm neonates had significantly higher 5aR2 expression in their placenta compared with placentae from term neonates (P