Early cerebral cell damage induced by hypoxic-ischemic injury

The aim was to evaluate the early effect of perinatal asphyxia on histology of the of fetal lamb brains after three hours of neonatal life. The study was carried out on fetal lambs in which hypoxia-ischemia was induced by partial occlusion of umbilical cord during 60 min. Hypoxic ischemic injured groups produced a transient acidosis and a decrease of base excess in comparison to the healthy group. Resuscitation treatment improved both parameters. In the basal nuclei, mesencephalon, pons and deep cerebellar nuclei, neurons showing coagulative cell changes were observed. However, these neurons were in any case stained by TUNEL method. Our data confirm the presence of scattered neuronal cell death by necrosis in selective areas after 3 h of hypoxic ischemic injury.