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The Journal of physiology2002; 547(Pt 1); 67-76; doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2002.027409

Postnatal cardiovascular function after manipulation of fetal growth by embryo transfer in the horse.

Abstract: This study used between-breed embryo transfer in the horse to investigate the effects of maternal size and uterine capacity on fetal growth and postnatal cardiovascular and neuroendocrine functions. Equine embryos were transferred to establish eight Thoroughbred-in-Thoroughbred (TinT), seven Pony-in-Pony (PinP), five Thoroughbred-in-Pony (TinP) and eight Pony-in-Thoroughbred (PinT), pregnancies. Maternal and foal weights and placental microscopic area were measured at birth. At 6 days of postnatal life, arterial blood pressure and heart rate were monitored and blood samples were taken for hormone analysis before, during and after a 10 min period of nitroprusside-induced hypotension. Values for maternal and foal weights and placental area at birth were larger in TinT than in PinP pregnancies (P < 0.05). PinT pregnancies resulted in larger placentae and heavier foals relative to PinP (P < 0.05). TinP had smaller placentae and lighter foals relative to TinT (P < 0.05). Growth-enhanced (PinT) foals showed elevated basal arterial blood pressure and baroreflex threshold, reduced baroreflex sensitivity, diminished plasma catecholamine responses to acute stress, and increased cortisol responsiveness to ACTH. Conversely, growth-restricted (TinP) foals showed no change in basal arterial blood pressure, baroreflex threshold or adrenocortical responsiveness to ACTH, but had enhanced baroreflex sensitivity and augmented plasma catecholamine responses to acute stress. The data show that fetal growth acceleration as well as fetal growth restriction, resulting from between-breed embryo transfer in the horse, leads to altered postnatal regulation of blood pressure and the circulating concentrations of cortisol. These findings suggest that deviations in the pattern and rate of fetal growth both above and below the normal trajectory may influence cardiovascular function in postnatal life.
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Publication Date: 2002-11-15 PubMed ID: 12562940PubMed Central: PMC2342620DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2002.027409Google 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.

This study investigates how manipulating fetal growth in horses via between-breed embryo transfer affects postnatal cardiovascular and neuroendocrine functions. It reveals that both accelerated and restricted fetal growth can result in modified postnatal blood pressure regulation and cortisol levels, potentially impacting the cardiovascular function of the horse after birth.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a between-breed embryo transfer in horses to study the impacts of maternal size and uterine capacity on fetal growth and subsequent impact on postnatal cardiovascular and neuroendocrine functions.
  • A variety of equine embryo transfers were performed to establish four different groups: eight Thoroughbred-in-Thoroughbred (TinT), seven Pony-in-Pony (PinP), five Thoroughbred-in-Pony (TinP) and eight Pony-in-Thoroughbred (PinT) pregnancies.
  • At birth, maternal and foal weights along with the area of the placenta were measured to gauge fetal growth.
  • When the foals reached six days of age, their arterial blood pressure and heart rate were monitored and blood samples were collected for hormone analysis. This was conducted both pre and post a 10-minute duration of nitroprusside-induced hypotension.

Results of the Study

  • It was found that the placental area and the weights of the mother and foal at birth were larger in TinT pregnancies compared to PinP pregnancies.
  • PinT pregnancies resulted in larger placentae and heavier foals relative to PinP pregnancies.
  • On the contrary, TinP pregnancies resulted in smaller placentae and lighter foals compared to TinT.
  • Foals resulting from PinT pregnancies (growth-enhanced) exhibited elevated basal arterial blood pressure, reduced baroreflex sensitivity, diminished responses to acute stress in terms of plasma catecholamine, and higher cortisol response to Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
  • However, Foals from TinP pregnancies (growth-restricted) exhibited no significant changes in basal arterial blood pressure, baroreflex threshold, or adrenocortical responsiveness to ACTH. Nevertheless, they showed enhanced baroreflex sensitivity and higher plasma catecholamine responses to acute stress.

Implications of the Study

  • The results indicate that both accelerated (in PinT) and restricted (in TinP) fetal growth due to between-breed embryo transfer in horses, can lead to altered postnatal regulation of blood pressure and cortisol levels, substances critical for stress response mechanisms.
  • The study suggests that any deviations from the normal trajectory in the rate and pattern of fetal growth could potentially influence postnatal cardiovascular function.

Cite This Article

APA
Giussani DA, Forhead AJ, Gardner DS, Fletcher AJ, Allen WR, Fowden AL. (2002). Postnatal cardiovascular function after manipulation of fetal growth by embryo transfer in the horse. J Physiol, 547(Pt 1), 67-76. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2002.027409

Publication

The Journal of physiology
ISSN: 0022-3751
NlmUniqueID: 0266262
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 547
Issue: Pt 1
Pages: 67-76

Researcher Affiliations

Giussani, Dino A
  • Department of Physiology and Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK. dag26@cam.ac.uk
Forhead, Alison J
    Gardner, David S
      Fletcher, Andrew J W
        Allen, W R
          Fowden, Abigail L

            MeSH Terms

            • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
            • Animals
            • Animals, Newborn
            • Baroreflex / physiology
            • Blood Pressure / physiology
            • Body Constitution / physiology
            • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
            • Embryo Transfer / veterinary
            • Embryonic and Fetal Development / physiology
            • Epinephrine / blood
            • Female
            • Heart Rate / physiology
            • Horses
            • Hydrocortisone / blood
            • Hypotension / chemically induced
            • Hypotension / physiopathology
            • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiology
            • Nitroprusside
            • Norepinephrine / blood
            • Pregnancy
            • Species Specificity
            • Vasodilator Agents

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            This article has been cited 13 times.
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