Echocardiographic Assessment of Embryonic and Fetal Mouse Heart Development: A Focus on Haemodynamics and Morphology

Background. Heart development is a complex process, and abnormal development may result in congenital heart disease (CHD). Currently, studies on animal models mainly focus on cardiac morphology and the availability of hemodynamic data, especially of the right heart half, is limited. Here we aimed to...

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Main Authors: Nathan D. Hahurij, Emmeline E. Calkoen, Monique R. M. Jongbloed, Arno A. W. Roest, Adriana C. Gittenberger-de Groot, Robert E. Poelmann, Marco C. De Ruiter, Conny J. van Munsteren, Paul Steendijk, Nico A. Blom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/531324
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author Nathan D. Hahurij
Emmeline E. Calkoen
Monique R. M. Jongbloed
Arno A. W. Roest
Adriana C. Gittenberger-de Groot
Robert E. Poelmann
Marco C. De Ruiter
Conny J. van Munsteren
Paul Steendijk
Nico A. Blom
author_facet Nathan D. Hahurij
Emmeline E. Calkoen
Monique R. M. Jongbloed
Arno A. W. Roest
Adriana C. Gittenberger-de Groot
Robert E. Poelmann
Marco C. De Ruiter
Conny J. van Munsteren
Paul Steendijk
Nico A. Blom
author_sort Nathan D. Hahurij
collection DOAJ
description Background. Heart development is a complex process, and abnormal development may result in congenital heart disease (CHD). Currently, studies on animal models mainly focus on cardiac morphology and the availability of hemodynamic data, especially of the right heart half, is limited. Here we aimed to assess the morphological and hemodynamic parameters of normal developing mouse embryos/fetuses by using a high-frequency ultrasound system. Methods. A timed breeding program was initiated with a WT mouse line (Swiss/129Sv background). All recordings were performed transabdominally, in isoflurane sedated pregnant mice, in hearts of sequential developmental stages: 12.5, 14.5, and 17.5 days after conception (n=105). Results. Along development the heart rate increased significantly from 125 ± 9.5 to 219 ± 8.3 beats per minute. Reliable flow measurements could be performed across the developing mitral and tricuspid valves and outflow tract. M-mode measurements could be obtained of all cardiac compartments. An overall increase of cardiac systolic and diastolic function with embryonic/fetal development was observed. Conclusion. High-frequency echocardiography is a promising and useful imaging modality for structural and hemodynamic analysis of embryonic/fetal mouse hearts.
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series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-9e8854834db04c8c97bc7f4c55cbd11d2025-08-20T03:38:42ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2014-01-01201410.1155/2014/531324531324Echocardiographic Assessment of Embryonic and Fetal Mouse Heart Development: A Focus on Haemodynamics and MorphologyNathan D. Hahurij0Emmeline E. Calkoen1Monique R. M. Jongbloed2Arno A. W. Roest3Adriana C. Gittenberger-de Groot4Robert E. Poelmann5Marco C. De Ruiter6Conny J. van Munsteren7Paul Steendijk8Nico A. Blom9Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Pediatric Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Pediatric Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Pediatric Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The NetherlandsBackground. Heart development is a complex process, and abnormal development may result in congenital heart disease (CHD). Currently, studies on animal models mainly focus on cardiac morphology and the availability of hemodynamic data, especially of the right heart half, is limited. Here we aimed to assess the morphological and hemodynamic parameters of normal developing mouse embryos/fetuses by using a high-frequency ultrasound system. Methods. A timed breeding program was initiated with a WT mouse line (Swiss/129Sv background). All recordings were performed transabdominally, in isoflurane sedated pregnant mice, in hearts of sequential developmental stages: 12.5, 14.5, and 17.5 days after conception (n=105). Results. Along development the heart rate increased significantly from 125 ± 9.5 to 219 ± 8.3 beats per minute. Reliable flow measurements could be performed across the developing mitral and tricuspid valves and outflow tract. M-mode measurements could be obtained of all cardiac compartments. An overall increase of cardiac systolic and diastolic function with embryonic/fetal development was observed. Conclusion. High-frequency echocardiography is a promising and useful imaging modality for structural and hemodynamic analysis of embryonic/fetal mouse hearts.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/531324
spellingShingle Nathan D. Hahurij
Emmeline E. Calkoen
Monique R. M. Jongbloed
Arno A. W. Roest
Adriana C. Gittenberger-de Groot
Robert E. Poelmann
Marco C. De Ruiter
Conny J. van Munsteren
Paul Steendijk
Nico A. Blom
Echocardiographic Assessment of Embryonic and Fetal Mouse Heart Development: A Focus on Haemodynamics and Morphology
The Scientific World Journal
title Echocardiographic Assessment of Embryonic and Fetal Mouse Heart Development: A Focus on Haemodynamics and Morphology
title_full Echocardiographic Assessment of Embryonic and Fetal Mouse Heart Development: A Focus on Haemodynamics and Morphology
title_fullStr Echocardiographic Assessment of Embryonic and Fetal Mouse Heart Development: A Focus on Haemodynamics and Morphology
title_full_unstemmed Echocardiographic Assessment of Embryonic and Fetal Mouse Heart Development: A Focus on Haemodynamics and Morphology
title_short Echocardiographic Assessment of Embryonic and Fetal Mouse Heart Development: A Focus on Haemodynamics and Morphology
title_sort echocardiographic assessment of embryonic and fetal mouse heart development a focus on haemodynamics and morphology
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/531324
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