DLL4 and hydrops fetalis: The expression of Dll4 as well as Cd31 was further validated by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), which showed that the expression levels of both genes were significantly downregulated in the DSS + HF group (Dll4: DSS + HF 2.6 vs. chow 1.3, DSS + HF 0.3 vs. HF 0.9; p < 0.05) (Cd31, DSS + HF 2.6 vs. chow 1.3; DSS + HF 0.6 vs. HF 1.8, p < 0.01; Figure 5B).