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Theriogenology2007; 68 Suppl 1; S9-S21; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.04.037

Equine embryology: an inventory of unanswered questions.

Abstract: Carl Hartman's title of 47 years ago is invoked in tribute to his first recovery of a bovine embryo 30 years before that, and his legacy of an emphasis on the value of descriptive and comparative studies in reproductive biology. The horse's qualification as a farm animal has waned since those times but, in a conference understandably dominated by research in ruminants and pigs, there are lessons to be learned from some peculiarities of equine embryonic development. Morphological and physiological features of the conceptus and its interaction with its environment during the first month of pregnancy are described and discussed, with emphasis on conceptus expansion, experimental study of the capsule and its associated proteins, and steroid production and metabolism by the various tissues within the conceptus. It is also suggested that easy access to entire conceptuses at advanced stages of development in horses offers valuable opportunities for comparative investigation of early organogenesis and fetal membrane differentiation and, possibly, how they are affected by embryo manipulation in vitro.
Publication Date: 2007-05-25 PubMed ID: 17532037DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.04.037Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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Summary

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The research article discusses the unique aspects of embryonic development in horses, with a particular focus on how the embryo interacts with its environment during the first month of pregnancy. The authors acknowledge gaps in current understanding and suggest that further study could provide valuable insights for comparative biology and embryo manipulation research.

Descriptive and Comparative Studies in Reproductive Biology

  • The research draws on the legacy of Carl Hartman, a well-known embryologist. Hartman’s work, particularly his recovery of a bovine embryo, underscores the value of descriptive and comparative studies in reproductive biology.
  • While much of current research focuses on farm animals like cows and pigs, the authors argue that studying equine embryonic development can offer unique insights.

Features of Equine Embryonic Development

  • The paper outlines the morphological and physiological features of equine embryos and their interaction with the environment in the first month of pregnancy.
  • Areas of emphasis include conceptus expansion, the study of the capsule and associated proteins, and the production and metabolism of steroids by tissues within the conceptus. The term ‘conceptus’ refers to all products of conception, including the embryo or fetus as well as the associated membranes.

Opportunities for Further Study

  • The authors also suggest that the relative ease of access to whole equine conceptuses at advanced stages of development provides a valuable opportunity for further comparative research.
  • This could include investigations into early organogenesis (the process of organ formation) and fetal membrane differentiation and how these processes might be affected by manipulation of the embryo in a laboratory setting.

Understanding Embryo Manipulation

  • Research into equine embryology could also help scientists better understand the potential implications of embryo manipulation, particularly in the context of in vitro fertilization.
  • The insight can be instrumental in the broader field of reproductive biology and can potentially impact areas such as fertility treatments and animal breeding practices.

Cite This Article

APA
Betteridge KJ. (2007). Equine embryology: an inventory of unanswered questions. Theriogenology, 68 Suppl 1, S9-S21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.04.037

Publication

ISSN: 0093-691X
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 68 Suppl 1
Pages: S9-S21

Researcher Affiliations

Betteridge, K J
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. kbetter@uoguelph.ca

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst / cytology
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Embryo Implantation / physiology
  • Embryonic Development / physiology
  • Endometrium / cytology
  • Female
  • Horses / embryology
  • Models, Animal
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal
  • Reproduction / physiology
  • Yolk Sac / embryology

References

This article includes 99 references

Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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  3. Rudolf Vegas A, Podico G, Canisso IF, Bollwein H, Almiñana C, Bauersachs S. Spatiotemporal endometrial transcriptome analysis revealed the luminal epithelium as key player during initial maternal recognition of pregnancy in the mare. Sci Rep 2021 Nov 16;11(1):22293.
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  4. Klein C, Bruce P, Hammermueller J, Hayes T, Lillie B, Betteridge K. Transcriptional profiling of equine endometrium before, during and after capsule disintegration during normal pregnancy and after oxytocin-induced luteostasis in non-pregnant mares. PLoS One 2021;16(10):e0257161.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257161pubmed: 34614002google scholar: lookup
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  8. Iqbal K, Chitwood JL, Meyers-Brown GA, Roser JF, Ross PJ. RNA-seq transcriptome profiling of equine inner cell mass and trophectoderm. Biol Reprod 2014 Mar;90(3):61.
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