Hypobaric hypoxia as a tool to study pregnancy-dependent responses at the maternal-fetal interface.

Establishment of proper oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus is essential for a successful pregnancy. The maternal-fetal interface is the site of vascular modifications, providing a conduit for the delivery of essential nutrients to the developing fetus. Pregnancy-dependent adaptive vascular responses within the uteroplacental compartment can be exaggerated by exposure to a physiological stressor such as hypoxia. A simple procedure for exposing pregnant rats and mice to hypobaric hypoxia is presented.