Placental structure and function in different breeds in horses.
Abstract: Ponies and sometimes draft horses are often used as experimental models for horses although size and metabolic parameters are known to vary between horse breeds. So far, there is little information about differences of placental structure and no information about differences of placental function between breeds. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in placental size, structure and function at birth in relation to foal size and weight in ponies, Saddlebred and draft horses. Pony, Saddlebred and draft horse pregnancies were obtained by artificial insemination over 2 successive breeding seasons. Foals and total fetal membranes (TFM) were weighed and placentas measured for surface area at term. Placentas were sampled above the umbilical cord insertion. Surface density and volume fraction of the different cellular components of the placenta were measured on histological sections using stereology. The expression of genes involved in growth and development, nutrient transfer and vascularization was compared between groups. Foals and TFM were lighter at birth in ponies than Saddlebred horses, and both were lighter compared to draft horses. The surface density and volume fraction of microcotyledonary vessels was increased in pony compared to Saddlebred placentas. The relative expression of genes involved in growth and development was different between breeds and increased with maternal, fetal and placental weight. Primiparous dams produced lighter foals and smaller placentas, associated with a decreased volume fraction of microcotyledonary vessels and genes involved in growth and development and vascularization. Foal sex had little effect on placental structure and function as the expression of only one gene differed according to sex, with EGFR expression being decreased in placentas of females compared to males. In conclusion, foal and placental weight, as well as placental expression of genes involved in growth and development were correlated with maternal size. Placental structure also differed between breeds, with a stronger difference between ponies and both breeds of horses.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2017-11-20 PubMed ID: 29207294DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.11.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study investigates the differences in placental size, structure, and function in various horse breeds, specifically between ponies, Saddlebred, and draft horses. It was found that maternal size and breed affect the placental structure and the weight of the foal at birth.
Study Design and Methodology
- The researchers conducted their study over two successive breeding seasons, inseminating Pony, Saddlebred, and draft horse pregnancies artificially.
- At birth, the foals and their total fetal membranes (TFMs) were weighed, and the placentas were measured for surface area.
- Placentas were sampled above the insertion point of the umbilical cord.
- The researchers then measured the surface density and volume fraction of the different cellular components of the placenta using histological sections and stereology techniques.
- The expression of genes related to growth, development, nutrient transfer, and vascularization was compared across the different breeds.
Findings of the Research
- Ponies birthed lighter foals and TFMs than Saddlebred horses, which in turn were lighter compared to draft horses.
- The surface density and volume fraction of microcotyledonary vessels were found to be higher in Pony placentas compared to those in Saddlebred horses.
- Different expressions of genes related to growth and development were noticed between breeds, with these gene expressions increasing in tandem with maternal, fetal, and placental weight.
- First-time mothers produced lighter foals and smaller placentas, which came with a reduction in the volume fraction of microcotyledonary vessels and the expression of genes related to growth, development, and vascularization.
- The study found little effect of foal sex on placental structure and function since only the expression of the EGFR gene differed according to sex – it decreased in female placentas compared to male ones.
Conclusions
- The weight of the foal and placenta as well as the placental expression of genes concerning growth and development were noted to be directly correlated with the maternal size.
- There was also a noticeable difference in placental structure between horse breeds, with a stronger divergence between Ponies and both Saddlebred and draft horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Robles M, Peugnet PM, Valentino SA, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Aubrière MC, Reigner F, Serteyn D, Wimel L, Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P.
(2017).
Placental structure and function in different breeds in horses.
Theriogenology, 108, 136-145.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.11.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Domaine de Vilvert, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Domaine de Vilvert, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Domaine de Vilvert, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
- IFCE, Station Expérimentale, La Valade, 19370, Chamberet, France.
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Domaine de Vilvert, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Domaine de Vilvert, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
- INRA UE1297, UEPAO, INRA centre de Tours, 37380, Nouzilly, France.
- Clinique équine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, CORD, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
- IFCE, Station Expérimentale, La Valade, 19370, Chamberet, France.
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Domaine de Vilvert, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Domaine de Vilvert, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France. Electronic address: pascale.chavatte-palmer@inra.fr.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Biometry
- Birth Weight
- Body Size
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Placenta / anatomy & histology
- Placenta / physiology
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Proteins / genetics
- Pregnancy Proteins / metabolism
- Pregnancy, Animal / genetics
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Nagel C, Melchert M, Aurich C, Aurich J. Differences in Endocrine and Cardiac Changes in Mares and Her Fetus before, during, and after Parturition in Horses of Different Size. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 4;10(9).
- Robles M, Couturier-Tarrade A, Derisoud E, Geeverding A, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Aioun J, Prezelin A, Calvez J, Richard C, Wimel L, Chavatte-Palmer P. Effects of dietary arginine supplementation in pregnant mares on maternal metabolism, placental structure and function and foal growth. Sci Rep 2019 Apr 23;9(1):6461.
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