Impact of Ferumoxytol Magnetic Resonance Imaging on the Rhesus Macaque Maternal-Fetal Interface.

This study sought to assess the fetoplacental unit and selected maternal tissues, pregnancy outcomes, and fetal well-being after ferumoxytol administration. In initial developmental studies, seven pregnant rhesus macaques were imaged with or without ferumoxytol administration. Pregnancies went to term with vaginal delivery and infants showed normal growth rates compared to control animals born the same year that did not undergo MRI. To determine the impact of ferumoxytol on the maternal-fetal interface, fetal well-being, and pregnancy outcome, four pregnant rhesus macaques at ~ 100 gestational day (GD) underwent MRI before and after ferumoxytol administration. Collection of the fetoplacental unit and selected maternal tissues was performed 2-3 days following ferumoxytol administration. A control group that did not receive ferumoxytol or MRI was used for comparison. Iron levels in fetal and maternal-fetal interface tissues did not differ between groups, and there was no significant difference in tissue histopathology with or without exposure to ferumoxytol, and no effect on placental hormone secretion. Together, these results suggest that the use of ferumoxytol and MRI in pregnant rhesus macaques does not negatively impact the maternal-fetal interface and can be a valuable experimental tool in research with this important animal model. PMID: 31511859 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Biology of Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Tags: Biol Reprod Source Type: research