How low oxygen in pregnancy changes uterine blood flow
Mechanisms of uterine artery hemodynamics adaptation to pregnancy and gestational hypoxia
Researchers are learning how low oxygen during pregnancy changes uterine blood flow and how that can affect pregnant people and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loma Linda University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Loma Linda, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323619 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I'm pregnant, I want to know how low oxygen could harm blood flow to my baby; this work looks into that problem. The team uses pregnant sheep as a model and laboratory methods (including RNA‑seq and molecular studies) to study uterine artery function. They focus on a protein called Rad and L‑type CaV1.2 calcium channels that control artery contraction, and they compare signals in sheep and humans including hormone effects. The goal is to understand why adaptation to chronic low oxygen sometimes fails and to point toward ways to protect mothers and babies from preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This line of work is most relevant to pregnant people concerned about low‑oxygen exposures (for example at high altitude) or at risk for preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant or whose pregnancy risks are unrelated to uterine blood flow or low oxygen exposure are unlikely to get direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new tests or treatments to prevent or reduce pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction caused by low oxygen.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown that gestational hypoxia raises uterine vascular resistance and blood pressure, but targeting the Rad/CaV1.2 mechanism is a novel approach not yet tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
Loma Linda, UNITED STATES
- Loma Linda University — Loma Linda, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Lubo — Loma Linda University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Lubo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.