Fetal Brain Activity in the Sheep Model with Intrauterine Hypoxia

The fetal and early neonatal period is a time of rapid brain growth and development, dependent upon adequate oxygenation. Fetal hypoxia, whether chronic due to placental insufficiency or intermittent cord compression, or acute during labor, may give rise to aberrant development and neurologic sequelae. This chapter reviews the metabolic activities and behavioral states of the brain throughout the late fetal period, and the methods for studying them using the chronically instrumented ovine fetus. Also outlined are methods for studying hypoxia in the ovine fetus through embolization of the placenta, and occlusion of the umbilical cord.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: news