CASP3 and hydrops fetalis: Western blot analysis of pro-apoptotic proteins showed markedly increased protein levels of cleaved Caspase 3 in the HF treatment group after 5 days of exposure (adjusted band densities: human control, 1.74 (1.58-2.28) vs. HF, 7.16 (3.48-7.69), p = 0.03).