Uteroplacental vascular transformation in hypertensive pregnancy

Healthy pregnancies require major changes in blood flow to support the growing baby. Specifically, the mothers uterine arteries must widen to allow more blood to reach the placenta, and the placenta must build a complex network of blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. In hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), these changes often dont happen properly, which can lead to poor fetal growth and serious health risks for both mother and baby. The reasons for these vascular problems are still unclear, but they may stem from the high blood pressure interfering with normal adaptation. This project will explore how nifedipine, a commonly used medication to treat high blood pressure in pregnancy, affects blood vessel development in both the uterus and placenta. Using a well-established animal model of HDP, we aim to understand whether nifedipine helps restore healthy vascular changes that are critical for pregnancy success. This proposal strengthens our collaboration with Dr. Genevieve Eastabrook, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and researcher at our partner organization (the Childrens Health Research Institute and London Health Sciences Centre), by generating mechanistic data that can directly inform and enhance clinical decision-making for patients she treats with HDP.

Faculty Supervisor:

Stephen Renaud

Student:

Partner:

London Health Sciences Centre

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: