Placental iron metabolism and the effect of umbilical cord clamping on the feto-neonatal transition in dogs

• Grant number: 23/16934-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Camila Infantosi Vannucchi
• Grantee: Lara Maltoni Rigo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the direct influence of placental iron metabolism on newborn blood indices, as well as the influence of delayed umbilical cord clamping on placental iron transfer and adaptive functions in the fetal-neonatal transition. For such a purpose, 20 neonates will be assigned to 2 experimental groups: the Early Umbilical Cord Clamping Group (n = 10) and the Late Umbilical Cord Clamping Group (n = 10). In order to assess iron transfer, a complete blood count, serum iron, serum ferritin and iron-binding capacity will be carried out. Maternal blood samples will be obtained in the c-section pre-anesthetic period and from the neonates at two time-points: before the umbilical cord clamping (trans-operative period) and after 5 minutes of life (after the umbilical cord clamping). The neonates will be assessed by vitality score at birth and after 5 minutes and 1 hour, as well as weighed. The placentas of each neonate will be separated, weighed and then submitted to histological evaluation for the identification of hemosiderin and iron, using specific Perls (or Prussian blue) staining. The data will be analyzed as repeated measures over time. For parametric analysis, the Student's t-test will be used to compare the groups and the Least Significant Differences (LSD) test will be used to compare the assessment times. The significance level will be 5%, i.e. pd 0.05.