Hepcidin, ferritin and iron homeostasis in pregnant Spanish Purebred mares.
Abstract: During pregnancy, maternal erythropoietic expansion and fetal development require greater mobilization of available iron (Fe) stores. These adjustments in Fe metabolism in humans and rodents are largely mediated by the hormone hepcidin (Hepc), which controls the expression of ferroportin (Fpn), a transporter responsible for exporting Fe from stores to extracellular fluid and plasma. These mechanisms based on the regulation of Hepc on the availability of Fe during gestation in healthy mares remain unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the existence of interrelationships among concentrations of Hepc, ferritin (Ferr), Fe, and estrone (E1) and progesterone (P4) in Spanish Purebred mares along the whole gestation. Blood samples were taken from 31 Spanish Purebred mares each month, during 11 months of pregnancy. Fe and Ferr significantly increased and Hepc decreased during pregnancy (P < 0.05). The secretion peak of estrone (E1) was reached in the 5th month and progesterone (P4) between the 2nd and 3rd months of gestation (P < 0.05). Fe and Ferr were weakly positively correlated (r = 0.57; P < 0.05). Fe and Ferr were negatively correlated with Hepc (r = -0.80 and r = -0.67, respectively) (P < 0.05). P4 was positively correlated with Hepc (r = 0.53; P < 0.05). Pregnancy in the Spanish Purebred mare was characterized by a progressive increase in Fe and Ferr and a reduction in Hepc concentrations. E1 was partially responsible for the suppression of Hepc; on the other hand, P4 induced its stimulation during pregnancy in the mare.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-05-11 PubMed ID: 37201298DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.05.008Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study investigates the mechanisms of iron regulation during pregnancy in Spanish Purebred mares. It found that there is a progressive increase in iron and ferritin and a decrease in hepcidin concentration during gestation, with hormonal interplay also playing a significant role.
Objective and Methodology
- This research aimed at understanding the intricate relationship between the levels of hepcidin (Hepc), ferritin (Ferr), iron (Fe), and the hormones estrone (E) and progesterone (P) in Spanish Purebred mares during gestation. These elements and hormones play a crucial role in managing iron stores, which is vital for maternal and fetal health during pregnancy.
- To conduct the study, blood samples were collected monthly from 31 mares throughout their 11-month gestation period. This longitudinal approach sheds light on the temporal evolution of the studied parameters.
Results and Findings
- The results showed that the levels of iron (Fe) and ferritin (Ferr) significantly increased during pregnancy, while the hormone hepcidin (Hepc) which regulates iron, decreased.
- The levels of the hormones estrone (E) and progesterone (P) also varied throughout the gestation period. The estrone hormone peaked during the 5th month, while progesterone peaked between the 2nd and 3rd months of gestation.
- The study found a weak positive correlation between the amounts of iron (Fe) and ferritin (Ferr), with the correlation coefficient standing at 0.57.
- Iron and ferritin both demonstrated a strong negative correlation with hepcidin, with correlation coefficients of -0.80 and -0.67 respectively.
- Progesterone was found to be positively correlated with hepcidin, with a correlation coefficient of 0.53.
Conclusion and Impact
- This paper concludes that pregnancy in the Spanish Purebred mare is characterized by an increase in iron and ferritin concentrations and a decrease in hepcidin levels. Moreover, the hormones estrone and progesterone also play a part in this regulation.
- This study not only enhances our understanding of iron homeostasis during gestation in horses, but also provides insights into how other mammals, potentially including humans, carry out similar processes.
Cite This Article
APA
Satué K, Fazio E, Cravana C, Medica P.
(2023).
Hepcidin, ferritin and iron homeostasis in pregnant Spanish Purebred mares.
Theriogenology, 206, 78-86.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.05.008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: ksatue@uchceu.es.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, 98168, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, 98168, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, 98168, Messina, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Pregnancy
- Horses
- Animals
- Female
- Humans
- Progesterone
- Ferritins
- Hepcidins
- Estrone
- Iron
- Homeostasis
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest None of the authors of this article has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the article.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- 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.
- Satué K, Fazio E, Damiá E, Medica P, Cravana C. Correlation between erythrocyte parameters and iron status in cyclic Spanish Purebred mares. Vet Res Commun 2024 Aug;48(4):2677-2681.
- 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.
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