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Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 8; 772658; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.772658

Collagen and Microvascularization in Placentas From Young and Older Mares.

Abstract: In older mares, increasing collagen fibers (fibrosis) in the endometrium and oviduct predisposes to sub-fertility and infertility. In this study, (i) gene transcription of collagen (qPCR: COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL5A1); (ii) total collagen protein (hydroxyproline); (iii) collagen distribution (Picrosirius red staining; polarized light microscopy); and (iv) microvascular density (Periodic acid-Schiff staining), were evaluated in mares' placenta, and related to mares age, and placenta and neonate weights. Samples were collected from the gravid horn, non-gravid horn, and body of the placenta from younger (n = 7), and older mares (n = 9) of different breeds. Transcripts of COL1A1, COL3A1 and COL5A1, total collagen protein, chorionic plate connective tissue thickness, and microvascularization increased in the gravid horn of older mares' placentas, compared to the youngest (P < 0.05). Although in other species placenta fibrosis may indicate placental insufficiency and reduced neonate weight, this was not observed here. It appears that older fertile mares, with more parities, may develop a heavier, more vascularized functional placenta with more collagen, throughout a longer gestation, which enables the delivery of heavier foals. Thus, these features might represent morphological and physiological adaptations of older fertile mares' placentas to provide the appropriate nutrition to the equine fetus.
Copyright © 2022 Neto da Silva, Costa, Teixeira, Alpoim-Moreira, Fernandes, Fradinho, Rebordão, Silva, Ferreira da Silva, Bliebernicht, Alexandre-Pires and Ferreira-Dias.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-04 PubMed ID: 35059454PubMed Central: PMC8764314DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.772658Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research examined the association between the increased collagen fibers in the endometrium and oviduct of older mares and their predisposition to sub-fertility and infertility. The study focused on the role, quantity, and distribution of collagen in mares’ placentas and its impact on their fertility, placenta and neonate weights. The evidence suggests that older fertile mares, despite having more collagen and microvascularization in their placentas, can still produce heavier foals, demonstrating physiological adaptations to ensure proper fetus nutrition.

Research Methodology

  • The study followed a methodical approach where researchers evaluated four aspects: collagen gene transcription (using qPCR), total collagen protein (using hydroxyproline), collagen distribution (using Picrosirius red staining and polarized light microscopy), and microvascular density (using Periodic acid-Schiff staining).
  • These parameters were studied in the placentas of younger (7) and older mares (9) and the results were related to mares age, placenta weight, and neonate weights.
  • Placenta samples were collected from different sections: the gravid horn, non-gravid horn, and body.

Findings

  • The study demonstrated that transcripts of collagen, total collagen protein, thickness of the chorionic plate connective tissue, and microvascularization increased in the gravid horn of the placenta from older mares compared to the younger mares.
  • Despite the increase in collagen (which is linked to placenta fibrosis in other species and potentially to reduced neonate weight), no such correlation was seen in these mares.
  • Evidence indicated that older fertile mares with more parities developed a heavier and denser placenta during a longer gestation period, facilitating the birth of heavier foals.

Conclusion

  • The research concludes that the increased collagen and vascularization present in the placentas of older mares might represent physiological adaptations.
  • These adaptations appear to enable older mares to adequately nourish the fetus, despite the increase in collagen typically associated with sub-fertility and infertility.

Cite This Article

APA
Neto da Silva AC, Costa AL, Teixeira A, Alpoim-Moreira J, Fernandes C, Fradinho MJ, Rebordão MR, Silva E, Ferreira da Silva J, Bliebernicht M, Alexandre-Pires G, Ferreira-Dias G. (2022). Collagen and Microvascularization in Placentas From Young and Older Mares. Front Vet Sci, 8, 772658. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.772658

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 772658

Researcher Affiliations

Neto da Silva, Ana Catarina
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Costa, Ana Luísa
  • Embriovet, Muge, Portugal.
Teixeira, Ana
  • Pole Reprodución Haras de La Gesse, Boulogne-sur-Gesse, France.
Alpoim-Moreira, Joana
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Fernandes, Carina
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Fradinho, Maria João
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Rebordão, Maria Rosa
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
  • Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Silva, Elisabete
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Ferreira da Silva, José
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Bliebernicht, Miguel
  • Embriovet, Muge, Portugal.
Alexandre-Pires, Graça
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Ferreira-Dias, Graça
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Alpoim-Moreira J, Fernandes C, Rebordão MR, Costa AL, Bliebernicht M, Nunes T, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. Collagen Type III as a Possible Blood Biomarker of Fibrosis in Equine Endometrium. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 21;12(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12141854pubmed: 35883401google scholar: lookup
  2. Katila T, Ferreira-Dias G. Evolution of the Concepts of Endometrosis, Post Breeding Endometritis, and Susceptibility of Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 19;12(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12060779pubmed: 35327176google scholar: lookup
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