Impact of Resveratrol, a Uterine Artery Vasodilator, on Placental Oxygen Transport and Fetal Circulatory Physiology: Comparison with Maternal Hyperoxygenation

Increases in fetal oxygen delivery may be achieved by increasing uterine artery (UtA) blood flow with resveratrol (RSV) or by widening the transplacental partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) gradient with maternal hyperoxygenation (MH). Thus, we investigated the impact of chronic RSV on placental oxygen transport and fetal circulatory physiology in a sheep model of normal human pregnancy. We then compared the impact of RSV with an acute episode of MH. RSV resulted in significantly higher UtA blood flow than MH therapy. Despite this increase, there was no change in fetal oxygenation or hemodynamics compared to controls. MH resulted in increased fetal oxygenation compared to baseline and RSV fetuses. MH therapy also increased fetal pulmonary blood flow and reduced flow through the foramen ovale. Thus, our data suggests that in the setting of normal placental perfusion, MH has a greater impact on fetal oxygen delivery than increases in UtA blood flow.M.Sc.2021-11-30 00:00:0