Expression Of Aquaporin-8 In Human Oligohydramnios Placenta And Fetal Membranes

ObjectiveInvestigate expression and significance of aquaporins-8 (AQP-8: a water channel protein) in placenta and fetal membrane tissue of pregnant women with oligohydramnion and normal amniotic fluid volume (AFV) , to provide new ideas and theories for the research in transport mechanism of amniotic fluid and treatment of oligohydramnions.Method30 cases of full- term pregnancy (37- 41weeks) with caesarean section was collected between Sep.2009 and Dec. 2009 from Affiliated Hospital of Taishan Medical College , where the studied include 15 cases with normal amniotic fluid volume ; 15 cases with oligohydramnions. All pregnancy were selective caesarean section, both groups were excluded accompanied with premature rupture of membrane ,fetal distress, fetal growth restriction, fetal malformation, etc. The average age, weight and gestational age of both groups had no significant difference. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect aquaporin 8 protein(AQP8) expression in placenta, fetal membranes tissue of pregnant women.ResultAQP8 protein was expressed in placenta, fetal membranes of pregnant women in both groups. Mainly in epithelial cells of the amnion , chorionic trophoblast nucleus, syncytiotrophoblast membrane and cytoplasm of placenta. Expression of AQP8 protein in amnion, chorion and placenta in oligohydramnion group were respectively: 0.088±0.021,0.143±0.021,0.122±0.019, in normal amniotic fluid volume group were respectively 0.148±0.016,0.158±0.025,0.151±0.025. Provided AQP8 protein expression in amniotic membrane, chorion and placenta of oligohydramnion group were lower than that in normal amniotic fluid volume group. But the difference between expression of AQP8 in amniotic membrane or placenta with their control groups respectively have statistical value(P<0.05). Although expression of AQP8 protein in chorionic tissue slightly lower than it's control group, but their difference have no statistical value(P>0.05).ConclusionExpression of AQP8 protein in placenta and fetal membranes of primary oligohydramnions was significantly reduced in clinical cases , suggesting that AQP8 play an important role in both maternal fetal fluid exchange and intramembranous chorioamniotic absorbing mechanism.