Alpha-fetoprotein is present in the fetal fluids and is increased in plasma of mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis.

The research article reveals that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), commonly found in fetal fluids, exhibits increased concentrations in the blood plasma of horses (mares) suffering from a specific pregnancy complication, ascending placentitis.

Objectives and Methodology

• The primary goals of the researchers were to understand AFP concentrations in fetal fluids and to compare its plasma concentrations in mares with or without placentitis. Two matching groups of 17 mares each were studied for comparison: one who had placentitis and the control group that didn’t.
• The researchers conducted fetal fluid sampling at three stages: at the beginning, five days post inoculation (DPI) and at twelve days post inoculation or at the time of abortion, should that occur.
• They induced placentitis in mares via an intracervical method, which involves injecting a disease-causing bacterium called Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus. This bacterium is known to cause a variety of infections in horses, including placentitis.
• Chemiluminescence immunoassay, 1D-SDS-PAGE (1-Dimensional Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis), and Immunoblotting were the significant methods used to identify, analyze, and compare AFP concentrations.

Findings of the Research

• They discovered a protein band around 68kDa in all the examined fetal fluid samples. The size of this particular band was consistent with the known size of AFP.
• Immunoblotting confirmed the presence of AFP in all fluid samples by producing a similar single protein band of approximately 68kDa.
• Interestingly, AFP concentrations in fetal fluids appeared to be higher than those in the mother’s plasma.
• The study also observed significant variation over time (DPI and days from abortion) and interactions between time and the group of mares.

Conclusion

• The study successfully validated the presence of AFP in fetal fluids of mares during the third trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, it presented a clear association between a rise in maternal plasma concentrations of AFP with experimentally induced placentitis.