Natural killer cell reduction induces uteroplacental vasculopathy and fetal growth restriction in wild type rats

Aim: Uterine natural killer cells (uNK cells) are the most abundant leucocytes in pregnant uterus. They are important for placentation and pregnancy maintenance in early and midgestation. We aimed at evaluating their influence on late pregnancy outcome. We reduced the number of NK cells during pregnancy and analyzed fetal parameters at the end of pregnancy. Materials and methods: Pregnant wild type Sprague Dawley rats (n = 6) received 0.5 ml anti asialo GM1 on day 5 and 10 of pregnancy intraperitoneally to reduce NK cell number. Control rats (n = 5) received 0.5 ml rabbit serum on the same days of pregnancy. Fet…