The

authors summarize the current state of knowledge within each topic, and highlight emerging questions that will stimulate future investigations. Osol and Moore [12] introduce the topic by discussing the broad series of hemodynamic changes that occur during pregnancy, and the types of structural adaptations that are observed in each of the branches of the uterine vasculature. Ku-0059436 price The authors propose a conceptual framework for understanding the regulation of uterine vascular remodeling. They synthesize present knowledge of the temporal and spatial sequences of events, highlighting the relative roles of local versus systemic factors and hemodynamics as driving forces for the remodeling processes. Attention is given to the challenges of applying information gained from animal models to the human condition, by considering the extent of variation in these processes across species, and from one individual to another in humans. In considering the mechanisms regulating uterine vascular remodeling, evidence for the role of endocrine factors, such as estrogen, in modifying the local responses to hemodynamic cues is discussed.

The dependence of the remodeling events on the appropriate function of nitric oxide synthase 3 raises the question of how these critical structural adaptations are altered in pregnancy states that are known to involve endothelial cell dysfunction (i.e., preeclampsia; intrauterine growth restriction). One of the difficulties in assessing the fetoplacental circulation is the limited capacity to visualize the three-dimensional Z-VAD-FMK mouse structural organization of the fetoplacental vascular network. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging can be exploited as a tool for this purpose. Rennie et al. [13] discuss this

emerging area of investigation, balancing the strengths and limitations inherent to the micro-CT imaging technique. The authors demonstrate the power of this technique to quantify physiological parameters such as pressure distributions and arterial resistance within a vascular bed as a whole, Ureohydrolase as well as within individual vessel segments. Micro-CT imaging at specific stages of development enables a detailed analysis of the temporal development and adaptation of the fetoplacental vasculature. Use of various mouse strains provides the opportunity to map the development of divergent vascular networks to the functions of specific genes. The authors illustrate how micro-CT imaging may be applied to examine the impact of environmental factors, genes, as well as the interplay between the two, on the development of the fetoplacental vasculature. In addition to the structural adaptations within the fetoplacental circulation, vascular tone plays a key role in determining fetoplacental blood flow.