Neuropathological changes in the cerebrum of IUGR rat induced by synthetic thromboxane A2.

IUGR was induced by maternal administration of synthetic thromboxane A2 (STA2) from the 13th day of gestation. Fetuses and neonates showed a markedly significant weight reduction. In E16 IUGR brain, no pathological abnormalities were found, but morphological changes appeared in the cortical plate of E18 IUGR brain. In E20 IUGR brain, ectopic clusters of differentiating cells cytologically mimicking neuroblasts were found in the neuroepithelial layer, but these abnormal clusters of cells in IUGR brain of late gestation were never observed in PN7. Morphometric analysis of coronal-sectional areas of the brain and cortical plate demonstrated that there were no differences between IUGR rats and controls in E16 and E18. These areas were, however, significantly reduced in E20 and PN7 growth-retarded rats compared with the control. Because the period of STA2 administration coincides with the neuro-developmental stage of cell migration and differentiation, reduction of the uteroplacental blood supply might cause a transient abnormal cytoarchitecture of the cerebral cortex resulting in brain growth retardation.