Optical coherence tomography captures rapid hemodynamic responses to acute hypoxia in the cardiovascular system of early embryos.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The trajectory to heart defects may start in tubular and looping heart stages when detailed analysis of form and function is difficult by currently available methods. We used a novel method, Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT), to follow changes in cardiovascular function in quail embryos during acute hypoxic stress. Chronic fetal hypoxia is a known risk factor for congenital heart diseases (CHDs). Decreased fetal heart rates during maternal obstructive sleep apnea suggest that studying fetal heart responses under acute hypoxia is warranted.

Results

We captured responses to hypoxia at the critical looping heart stages. Doppler OCT revealed detailed vitelline arterial pulsed Doppler waveforms. Embryos tolerated 1 hr of hypoxia (5%, 10%, or 15% O(2) ), but ex

SUBMITTER: Gu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3295592 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature