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R 1 and R 2 * changes in the human placenta in response to maternal oxygen challenge
Author(s) -
Huen Isaac,
Morris David M.,
Wright Caroline,
Parker Geoff J. M.,
Sibley Colin P.,
Johnstone Edward D.,
Naish Josephine H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.24581
Subject(s) - placenta , oxygen , chemistry , fetus , biology , pregnancy , genetics , organic chemistry
Purpose Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction are sometimes thought to be caused by placental abnormalities associated with reduced oxygenation. Oxygen‐enhanced MRI ( R 1 contrast) and BOLD MRI ( R 2 * contrast) have the potential to noninvasively investigate this oxygen environment at a range of gestational ages. Methods Scanning was carried out at 1.5 T under maternal air and oxygen breathing in a single placental slice in 14 healthy pregnant subjects of gestational ages 21–37 weeks. We report R 1 changes using a respiratory‐triggered inversion recovery‐turbo spin‐echo sequence, which is sensitive to changes in PO 2 , and R 2 * changes using a breathhold multiple gradient‐recalled echo sequence sensitive to changes in oxygen saturation. Results Significant R 1 increases ( P < 0.005, paired t‐test) and R 2 * decreases ( P < 0.0001, paired t‐test) between air and oxygen breathing were demonstrated. Δ R 1 decreased with gestational age ( P < 0.0005, r = −0.835, Pearson correlation test). No significant effect of gestational age on R 2 * change was observed. Conclusion The results demonstrate the feasibility of non‐invasive investigation of placental oxygenation using MRI and the sensitivity of R 1 oxygen‐enhanced MRI to gestational age. The techniques have the potential to provide unique noninvasive biomarkers in compromised pregnancies. Magn Reson Med 70:1427–1433, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.