Effects of fetal genotype and uterine environment on placental development in equids.
Abstract: Measurement of the concentrations of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) in the serum of pregnant mares and Jenny donkeys carrying normal intraspecies and hybrid interspecies pregnancies suggested that the production of this hormone may be influenced by parental gene imprinting. Specifically, a differential expression of maternal and paternal genes may control the size and secretory activity of the structures that secrete eCG, the fetal endometrial cups. However, bisection of an interspecies mule embryo followed by transfer of the resulting demi-embryos and other intact mule embryos to horse and donkey recipients resulted in striking differences in the size, secretory activity and lifespan of the endometrial cups in two types of surrogate mother. This finding has therefore demonstrated the ability of uterine factors to alter profoundly the development and characteristic phenotype of the specialized invasive chorionic girdle portion of the equine trophoblast that gives rise to the endometrial cups.
Publication Date: 1993-05-01 PubMed ID: 8345479DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.0980055Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The research investigates the influence of fetal genes and uterine environment on the development of the placenta in horses and donkeys. The study finds that both genomic imprinting and the uterine environment can significantly affect the size, secretory activity, and lifespan of endometrial cups – specialized structures that secrete specific hormones during pregnancy.
Objective of the Research
- The study aims to understand the effects of the fetal genotype (parental gene imprinting) and the uterine environment on the development of the placenta in equids (a family that includes donkeys and horses).
Methodology
- This research involves the measurement of concentrations of a hormone called equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in the serum of pregnant mares and Jenny donkeys. Pregnancies being observed include both normal intraspecies and hybrid interspecies ones.
- The study also includes an experimental procedure where an interspecies mule embryo is bisected, and the resulting demi-embryos and other intact mule embryos are transferred to horse and donkey recipients.
Findings
- The production of eCG appears influenced by parental gene imprinting. There’s a suggestion that maternal and paternal genes differentially express and control the size and secretory activity of the fetal endometrial cups, which are the structures that secrete eCG.
- The experiment produced striking differences in endometrial cups’ size, secretory activity, and lifespan between the two types of surrogate mothers. The difference was significant in the specialized invasive chorionic girdle portion of the equine trophoblast, which develops into the endometrial cups.
- It’s demonstrated that uterine factors can significantly alter the development and characteristic phenotype of the chorionic girdle, revealing how the uterine environment can impact placental development.
Cite This Article
APA
Allen WR, Skidmore JA, Stewart F, Antczak DF.
(1993).
Effects of fetal genotype and uterine environment on placental development in equids.
J Reprod Fertil, 98(1), 55-60.
https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0980055 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Equine Fertility Unit, Mertoun Paddocks, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Embryo Transfer
- Endometrium / anatomy & histology
- Endometrium / cytology
- Endometrium / physiology
- Female
- Fetus / physiology
- Genotype
- Gonadotropins, Equine / blood
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Hybridization, Genetic
- Placenta / anatomy & histology
- Placentation
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
- Uterus / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Meinecke B, Meinecke-Tillmann S. Lab partners: oocytes, embryos and company. A personal view on aspects of oocyte maturation and the development of monozygotic twins.. Anim Reprod 2023;20(2):e20230049.
- Skarzynski DJ, Bazer FW, Maldonado-Estrada JG. Editorial: Veterinary Reproductive Immunology.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:823169.
- Brekke TD, Moore EC, Campbell-Staton SC, Callahan CM, Cheviron ZA, Good JM. X chromosome-dependent disruption of placental regulatory networks in hybrid dwarf hamsters.. Genetics 2021 May 17;218(1).
- Brekke TD, Henry LA, Good JM. Genomic imprinting, disrupted placental expression, and speciation.. Evolution 2016 Dec;70(12):2690-2703.
- Antczak DF, de Mestre AM, Wilsher S, Allen WR. The equine endometrial cup reaction: a fetomaternal signal of significance.. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2013 Jan;1:419-42.
- Brekke TD, Good JM. Parent-of-origin growth effects and the evolution of hybrid inviability in dwarf hamsters.. Evolution 2014 Nov;68(11):3134-48.
- Kass DH, Janoušek V, Wang L, Tucker PK. The uncharacterized gene 1700093K21Rik and flanking regions are correlated with reproductive isolation in the house mouse, Mus musculus.. Mamm Genome 2014 Jun;25(5-6):223-34.
- Jones CJ, Aplin JD. Glycosylation at the fetomaternal interface: does the glycocode play a critical role in implantation?. Glycoconj J 2009 Apr;26(3):359-66.
- Schütt S, Florl AR, Shi W, Hemberger M, Orth A, Otto S, Schulz WA, Fundele RH. DNA methylation in placentas of interspecies mouse hybrids.. Genetics 2003 Sep;165(1):223-8.
- Hemberger M, Kurz H, Orth A, Otto S, Lüttges A, Elliott R, Nagy A, Tan SS, Tam P, Zechner U, Fundele RH. Genetic and developmental analysis of X-inactivation in interspecific hybrid mice suggests a role for the Y chromosome in placental dysplasia.. Genetics 2001 Jan;157(1):341-8.
- Hemberger MC, Pearsall RS, Zechner U, Orth A, Otto S, Rüschendorf F, Fundele R, Elliott R. Genetic dissection of X-linked interspecific hybrid placental dysplasia in congenic mouse strains.. Genetics 1999 Sep;153(1):383-90.
- Zechner U, Reule M, Burgoyne PS, Schubert A, Orth A, Hameister H, Fundele R. Paternal transmission of X-linked placental dysplasia in mouse interspecific hybrids.. Genetics 1997 Aug;146(4):1399-405.
- Enders AC, Meadows S, Stewart F, Allen WR. Failure of endometrial cup development in the donkey-in-horse model of equine abortion.. J Anat 1996 Jun;188 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3):575-89.
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