Adaptive Response of Estrogen-Iron Axis in Pregnant Purebred Spanish Mares of Different Age.
Abstract: The maintenance of iron (Fe) homeostasis is vital for the physiological function along life. In sexually mature humans and experimental animals, estrogens downregulate hepcidin (Hpc) expression, in order to improve the intestinal absorption and to mobilize Fe stores for maternal erythropoietic expansion and placental development. However, changes of these mechanisms related to regulation of Hpc on the availability of Fe during gestation with advancing age in mares, remain unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interrelationships between serum Fe, Ferritin (Ferr) and Hpc with estrone (E) and estradiol-17β (E) concentrations in pregnant mares of different ages. Blood samples were taken from 40 pregnant Spanish Purebred mares belonging to four different age groups, 10 subjects for each group: 4 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years, 10 to 12 years, and >12 years were used in this study. Fe concentrations of 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 years groups were higher (P < .01) than 10 to 12 and >12 years groups. Ferr concentrations of 4 to 6 years group were higher (P < .01) than other groups. Hpc concentrations increased and E decreased (P < .01) in >12 years group compared to other age groups. E concentrations of 7 to 9, 10 to 12 and >12 years groups were higher (P < .01) than those of 4 to 6 years group; 7 to 9 years group had higher E concentrations (P < .01) than >12 years group. Fe and Ferr were negatively correlated with Hpc (r = -0.81 and r = -0.67, respectively). E and E were negatively correlated with Fe (r = -0.23 and r = -0.11, respectively). E was positively correlated with Hpc (r = 0.78). In pregnant Spanish Purebred mare, the increase of estrogens, according to the more efficient iron status in response to Hpc inhibition and consequent mobilization of circulating and iron reserve, shows the existence of "estrogen-iron axis" in young mares. Nevertheless, these mechanisms are reversed in old mares, suggesting a less efficient iron metabolism with advancing age. It is hoped that new investigations are needed to understand in depth and clarify further the complex metabolic and hormonal mechanisms involved also in equine species.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-05-27 PubMed ID: 37247748DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104827Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study explores how estrogen and iron levels interact and adapt with age in pregnant Spanish Purebred mares. The focus is on the balance between iron levels and its regulation, which is important for healthy physical function, and the potential changes to this balance as the animals age.
Research Objective and Method
- The aim of this study was to understand how iron levels, ferritin (a protein that stores iron), and hepcidin (a hormone that regulates iron levels), interact with estrogen concentrations in pregnant mares of differing ages.
- The researchers collected blood samples from 40 pregnant Spanish Purebred mares. These mares were divided equally into four different age groups: 4 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years, 10 to 12 years, and over 12 years.
Findings
- Iron levels were higher in younger mares (those aged 4 to 9 years) compared to older mares (those aged 10 years and above).
- The 4 to 6 year old group had notably higher ferritin concentrations than the other groups, suggesting a higher iron storage.
- In the oldest group (over 12 years), hepcidin levels increased while estrogen levels decreased, contrasted with the younger groups. Moreover, estrogen levels were higher in mares aged between 7 to 12 years compared to the youngest and oldest groups.
Implications
- The findings suggest there is a relationship or “estrogen-iron axis” with iron and estrogen levels influencing each other. Specifically, in younger mares, an increase in estrogen corresponds to a more efficient iron status which is beneficial to the horse’s health and well-being.
- However, in older mares, this relationship appears to be reversed, signalling a less efficient iron metabolism as these horses age.
- The study therefore highlights the need for further research to understand the complexity behind these metabolic and hormonal interactions and how they also apply to other equine species.
Cite This Article
APA
Satué K, Fazio E, La Fauci D, Bruschetta G, Medica P.
(2023).
Adaptive Response of Estrogen-Iron Axis in Pregnant Purebred Spanish Mares of Different Age.
J Equine Vet Sci, 127, 104827.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104827 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: ksatue@uchceu.es.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Pregnancy
- Female
- Horses
- Animals
- Iron
- Placenta / metabolism
- Estrogens
- Estradiol / metabolism
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Satué K, Fazio E, La Fauci D, Medica P. Hematological indexes and iron status in pregnant mares. Arch Anim Breed 2023;66(3):197-205.
- Satué K, Fazio E, Velasco-Martinez G, Cravana C, Fauci D, Medica P. Comparative intrafollicular and plasma iron, ferritin, and transferrin concentrations in cycling mares. Vet World 2024 Oct;17(10):2370-2375.
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