Figure 1From: Identification of the heart as the critical site of adenosine mediated embryo protectionCardiac specific knockout of A1AR reduces embryonic viability under hypoxic conditions. Pregnant dams were reared in room air or hypoxia (10% O2) for 2, 3, or 4 days beginning at E8.5. (A) 2-day treatment from E8.5-10.5, no difference in viability between normoxia and hypoxia, P > 0.05. (B) 3-day treatment from E8.5-11.5, hypoxia induced a decrease in viability of 52% in the A1AR cardiac-specific knockout mice but not in the normal A1AR expressing (Hypoxia +/+) litters. (C) 4-day treatment from E8.5-12.5, hypoxia caused a greater reduction in viability of 78% compared to normoxia controls. In addition, 2-day treatment from E10.5-12.5 induced a significant decrease in viability of 40% that was not seen in the younger 2-day treated (E8.5-10.5) embryos. *, P ≤ 0.05 by Mann-Whitney test with a 99% confidence level.Back to article page