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Gene Expression Profiling of Rat Fetuses Exposed to 2‐Dimensional Ultrasound
Author(s) -
Hocevar Zvonko,
Rozman Janez,
Paska Alja Videtic,
Frangez Robert,
Vaupotic Tomaz,
Hudler Petra
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.2012.31.6.923
Subject(s) - medicine , gene expression , fetus , gene expression profiling , reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction , gene , real time polymerase chain reaction , ultrasound , andrology , pathology , pregnancy , genetics , biology , radiology
Objectives This study evaluated the possible effects of ultrasound (US) on gene expression in brain tissue of rat embryos. Methods Four groups (n = 5 each) of pregnant Wistar Han rats were exposed to US for different durations (55, 100, 145, and 195 seconds) via a multifrequency transducer in the 2‐dimensional imaging mode with a pulse duration of 1.29 microseconds, a pulse repetition frequency of 1 kHz, and a derated spatial‐peak pulse‐average intensity of 222.4 W/cm 2 on day 5, 9, 7, or 13 of gestation. Gene expression profiling was performed in fetal brain tissue (n = 5 per group) by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction arrays. Results The results indicated substantial alterations in gene expression. The most differentially expressed genes were Adamts5 , Gadd45a , Npy2r , and Chrna1 , which are implicated in important developmental signaling pathways. Conclusions On the basis of our findings, routine short US examinations for monitoring fetal development are not contraindicated, but prolonged exposures should be used only when needed to obtain important diagnostic information.