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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Is similarity in Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) asso...
PloS one2020; 15(8); e0237765; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237765

Is similarity in Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) associated with the incidence of retained fetal membranes in draft mares? A cross-sectional study.

Abstract: The failure of the maternal immune system to recognize fetal antigens and vice versa due to MHC similarity between the foal and its dam might result in the lack of placental separation during parturition in mares. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of MHC similarity between a mare and a foal on the incidence of retained fetal membranes (RFM) in post-partum mares. DNA was sampled from 43 draft mares and their foals. Mares which failed to expel fetal membranes within three hours after foal expulsion were considered the RFM group (n = 14) and mares that expelled fetal membranes during the above period were the control group (n = 29). Nine MHC microsatellites of MHC I and MHC II were amplified for all mares and foals. MHC compatibility and MHC genetic similarity between mares and their foals was determined based on MHC microsatellites. The inbreeding coefficient was also calculated for all horses. The incidence of RFM in the studied population was 33%. Compatibility in MHC I and MHC II did not increase the risk of RFM in the studied population of draft mares (P>0.05). Differences in MHC similarity at the genetic level were not observed between mare-foal pairs in RFM and control group (P>0.05). We suspect that RFM in draft mares may not be associated with MHC similarity between a foal and its dam. Despite the above, draft horses could be genetically predisposed to the disease.
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Publication Date: 2020-08-17 PubMed ID: 32804960PubMed Central: PMC7430710DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237765Google 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.

The research investigates whether the similarity in the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) between a foal and a mare is related to the occurrence of retained fetal membranes (RFM) in draft mares after giving birth.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

  • The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the MHC’s similarities between a mare and a foal on the incidence of retained fetal membranes (RFM) in post-delivery draft mares. The hypothesis was that if both the mare and foal have similar MHC, it may affect the placental separation during foal birth.
  • The research involved collecting DNA samples from 43 draft mares and their respective offspring.
  • The study divided the mares into two groups: RFM group (mares that retained fetal membranes beyond three hours after giving birth) and a control group (mares that expelled the fetal membranes within the same time).

Research Process and Findings

  • Nine MHC microsatellites of MHC I and MHC II were amplified for all sampled mares and foals, to assess the MHC compatibility and MHC genetic similarity between each mare-foal pair.
  • The analysis also considered the inbreeding coefficient for all sampled horses.
  • Through this investigation, it was found that 33% of the studied mare population suffered from RFM.
  • The results showed no correlation between MHC compatibility (MHC I and MHC II) and the risk of RFM. Even in genetic terms, no evidentiary differences in MHC similarity were observed between mare-foal pairs in both the RFM group and the control group.

Conclusions from the Study

  • The findings suggest that RFM in draft mares might not be associated with MHC compatibility between a mare and her foal, contrary to the initial hypothesis.
  • The study hints at draft horses potentially being genetically predisposed to retain fetal membranes after parturition. However, further validated studies are required to confirm this conjecture.

Cite This Article

APA
Jaworska J, Tobolski D, Janowski T. (2020). Is similarity in Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) associated with the incidence of retained fetal membranes in draft mares? A cross-sectional study. PLoS One, 15(8), e0237765. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237765

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 8
Pages: e0237765

Researcher Affiliations

Jaworska, Joanna
  • Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland.
Tobolski, Dawid
  • Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland.
Janowski, Tomasz
  • Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / immunology
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / immunology
  • Inbreeding
  • Incidence
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex / genetics
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex / immunology
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics
  • Microsatellite Repeats / immunology
  • Placenta, Retained / epidemiology
  • Placenta, Retained / immunology
  • Placenta, Retained / veterinary
  • Postpartum Period
  • Pregnancy

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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