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Abstract #1543

A novel non-invasive MRI tool for quantification of placental oxygen transport in vivo

Reut Avni 1 , Joel Garbow 2 , and Michal Neeman 1

1 Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, 2 Biomedical MR laboratory, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Oxygen transport, one of several key functions performed by the placenta, depends primarily on placental oxygen pressure gradient and the oxygen affinity of fetal and maternal blood. We describe a novel, non-invasive MRI method for deriving MRI-based oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curves. Pregnant ICR mice were analyzed using a gradual respiration challenge from hyperoxia to hypoxia. Apparent P50 (AP50) values, characteristic of oxygen affinity, derived from the curves, demonstrate a clear difference between adult and fetal tissues, as well as changes throughout gestation. This approach to probe and quantify oxygen transfer across the placenta may be useful for evaluation of fetal health.

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