Are anogenital distance and external female genitalia development changed in neural tube defects? Study in human fetuses.

BACKGROUND: Anogenital distance (AGD), the distance from the anus to the genitals, is a marker of normal genital development. AGD and other biometric parameters of external female genitalia are important as ultrasonographic markers that can determine fetal gender in the first trimester. Neural tube defects are one of the commonest congenital malformations of the central nervous system, with anencephaly being the most severe defect. Female genitalia development and their association with anencephaly have not been previously described. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the biometric parameters of external female genitalia in fetuses with anencephaly and compare it to the parameters of normocephalic fetuses at different gestational ages. STUDY DESIGN: We studied 34 female fetuses, 22 normocephalic and 12 anencephalic, aged between 12 and 22 weeks post-conception. The fetuses were placed in the classic lithotomy position and before the fetal dissection, the external female genitalia were photographed with a digital camera. Biometric parameters were recorded and measurements were performed using the Image J software, version 1.46r. Clitoral length and width, clitoris to anus distance, vaginal opening length and width, vaginal opening to labia majora distance, and AGD were measured (Figure). For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used (p < 0.05). RESULTS: We observed a significant difference between some measurements of the groups: the vaginal opening width was significantly greater in anencephalic fetuses and the vaginal opening length, clitoris to anus distance and vaginal opening to labia majora distance were significantly greater in normocephalic fetuses. For the clitoris length and width, we did not find statistical differences. We also did not find statistical significance in AGD between groups (normocephalic 2.32 mm [2.46-6.42/SD = 2.17] vs. anencephalic 3.93 mm [1.15-6.65/SD = 1.93]; p = 0.499). The linear regression analysis indicated that AGD increased more with age in anencephalic than in the normocephalic group, but without significant differences (r2 = 0.01677; p < 0.318). DISCUSSION: This article is the first to report the female external genitalia parameters in fetuses with anencephaly. In our study we observed some alterations in biometry of the external genitalia in anencephalic fetuses, with a pattern of morphological reduction in this group. The vaginal opening length, clitoris to anus distance and vaginal opening to labia majora distance were significantly lower in anencephalic fetuses but we did not find statistical significance in clitoris measurements and AGD. CONCLUSIONS: Anencephalic fetuses had some alterations in external genitalia development, but the anogenital distances did vary significantly between the groups.

Effects of prepubertal corticosterone treatment on urinary bladder.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to analyze the bladder wall modifications after a chronic treatment with high doses of corticosterone in prepubertal rats. METHODS: This study included 26 male rats assigned into four groups: T30 was treated with corticosterone until 29 days of age and killed at day 30, while T65 group received the same treatment but was killed at day 65. Each group had its own control group (C30 and C65). For treated animals, daily intraperitoneal injections of corticosterone (20 mg/Kg) were administered between 7th and 29th day of life. Bladders were removed and collagen, smooth muscle, elastic fibers system, vascular density and epithelium were analyzed by morphometrical methods, immunofluorescence, and biochemistry. RESULTS: Vascular density in lamina propria was reduced by 40% (p<0.05) in group T65. Collagen organization was altered in T30 and T65, although total collagen concentration was unchanged. The T65 group had an increase in elastic system fibers. There was no difference in epithelial height and cell density between the groups. Concerning the smooth muscle fibers density we observed a 19% increase (p<0.05) in the T65 group. CONCLUSION: Prepubertal administration of corticosterone induces structural modifications in the bladder of rats in a medium term analysis.

Effects of prepubertal corticosterone treatment on urinary bladder

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to analyze the bladder wall modifications after a chronic treatment with high doses of corticosterone in prepubertal rats. METHODS: This study included 26 male rats assigned into four groups: T30 was treated with corticosterone until 29 days of age and killed at day 30, while T65 group received the same treatment but was killed at day 65. Each group had its own control group (C30 and C65). For treated animals, daily intraperitoneal injections of corticosterone (20 mg/Kg) were administered between 7th and 29th day of life. Bladders were removed and collagen, smooth muscle, elastic fibers system, vascular density and epithelium were analyzed by morphometrical methods, immunofluorescence, and biochemistry. RESULTS: Vascular density in lamina propria was reduced by 40% (p<0.05) in group T65. Collagen organization was altered in T30 and T65, although total collagen concentration was unchanged. The T65 group had an increase in elastic system fibers. There was no difference in epithelial height and cell density between the groups. Concerning the smooth muscle fibers density we observed a 19% increase (p<0.05) in the T65 group. CONCLUSION: Prepubertal administration of corticosterone induces structural modifications in the bladder of rats in a medium term analysis. .