In utero remodeling of the fetal lamb ductus arteriosus - The role of antenatal indomethacin and avascular zone thickness on vasa vasorum proliferation, neointima formation, and cell death

Background-The ductus arteriosus (DA) of newborn infants exposed in utero to indomethacin is resistant to postnatal indomethacin; we hypothesized that this is due to ductus constriction in utero, with subsequent remodeling of the vessel. Methods and Results-Infusion of fetal lambs with indomethacin for 48 hours constricted the DA and increased the thickness of the avascular zone of the DA, which in turn induced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (due to ingrowth of vasa vasorum), neointima formation, and loss of smooth muscle cells; moderate degrees of DA constriction in utero increased NO production, which inhibited DA contractility. Marked degrees of DA constriction decreased tissue distensibility and contractile capacity. Conclusions-DA patency is no longer controlled primarily by prostaglandins once it has been exposed to indomethacin in utero.