Fetal DNA does not induce preeclampsia-like symptoms when delivered in late pregnancy in the mouse

Abstract Introduction The etiology of preeclampsia is unclear. Fetal DNA is present in higher concentrations in the plasma of pregnant women suffering from preeclampsia than in the plasma of healthy pregnant women. A previously published study has shown that human fetal DNA injected into pregnant mice induces preeclampsia-like symptoms when administered between gestation days 10–14. The aim of our experiment was to determine whether or not similar effects would be induced by administration of human and mouse fetal DNA, as well as mouse adult DNA and lipopolysaccharide during late pregnancy in the mouse. Methods Experimental animals were injected daily intraperitoneally during gestation days 14–18 with either saline – negative control, lipopolysaccharide – positive control, or various types of DNA. On gestation day 19, blood pressure and proteinuria were measured, and placental and fetal weights were recorded. Results Fetal and placental hypotrophy were induced only by lipopolysaccharide (p