The effects of maternal age and parity on placental and fetal development in the mare.
Abstract: The normality of equine placentation is essential for fetal health and development. Substantial information exists on the gross morphological status of the placenta but few studies have addressed the problem of degenerative lesions that interfere with placental morphology and placental efficiency. Objective: Degenerative changes in the endometrium with increasing age and parity are reflected in the morphology and density of the placental microcotyledons. Objective: To assess placental efficiency on the basis of foal birthweight as a function of total microscopic area of fetomaternal contact. Methods: Stereology was used to examine the placentae of 84 Thoroughbred mares grouped on the basis of age and parity. Placental efficiency, assessed by expressing foal birthweight as a function of total microscopic area of fetomaternal contact, was also determined. Results: Mare age and parity influenced the development of the microcotyledons and microcotyledon surface density (Sv) was lowest in aged multiparous mares, presumably due to degenerative changes in their endometrium. However, primiparous mares also showed significantly lower Sv values than young multiparous mares, despite the virginal endometrium of the former group. This apparent 'priming' effect of a first pregnancy on microcotyledonary Sv was illustrated further by 11 maiden mares followed in 2 successive pregnancies. They all showed significant increases in Sv values in their second parity, with equivalent improvements in foal birthweight. Conclusions: Foal birthweight is a reflection of the balance between fetomaternal contact and placental efficiency. Increases in fetomaternal contact are correlated to reductions in placental efficiency, which may reflect the ability of the placenta to modify its exchange capabilities. Conclusions: Further work is needed to elucidate how such changes in microcotyledon morphology and efficiency are brought about.
Publication Date: 2003-07-24 PubMed ID: 12875326DOI: 10.2746/042516403775600550Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates how the age and parity (the number of times a mare has given birth) influence the development of the placenta and fetus in Thoroughbred mares. The study suggests that age and parity may affect the density and condition of microcotyledon structures in the placenta that are indicative of placental health and efficiency.
Objective and Methodology
- The primary goal of this study was to determine how degenerative changes in the horse’s uterus (endometrium) due to age and number of births given (parity) are reflected in the placental microcotyledon’s morphology and density. Further, the researchers wanted to gauge placental efficiency by examining the birth weight of the foal in relation to the total microscopic area of fetomaternal contact (or the area where the fetus and mother’s bodies connect).
- A technique known as stereology was employed to examine the placentas of 84 Thoroughbred mares categorized based on their age and parity. Placental efficiency was calculated by representing the foal’s birthweight as a function of the total microscopic fetomaternal contact area.
Results
- The results demonstrated that the mare’s age and parity greatly influenced the development of microcotyledons. The surface density of these structures was found lowest in older mares who had given multiple births, probably due to degenerative changes in their endometrium.
- Surprisingly, mares giving birth for the first time also exhibited significantly lower surface density values as compared to younger mares that had multiple births, despite the fact that the former group had an untouched or ‘virginal’ endometrium.
- This seemed to suggest a ‘priming’ effect of the first pregnancy on these structures, as 11 maiden mares followed through two consecutive pregnancies showed significant increases in surface density values during their second pregnancy. This was also accompanied by improvements in the foal’s birth weight.
Conclusions
- Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that the foal’s birthweight is an indication of the balance between fetomaternal contact and placental efficiency. They noted that increases in fetomaternal contact correlate to reductions in placental efficiency, potentially reflecting the placenta’s ability to adapt its exchange capabilities.
- Further research is required to clarify how these changes in microcotyledon morphology and efficiency occur. Such work could help improve understanding of equine reproduction and could potentially contribute to improving horse health and reproductive success.
Cite This Article
APA
Wilsher S, Allen WR.
(2003).
The effects of maternal age and parity on placental and fetal development in the mare.
Equine Vet J, 35(5), 476-483.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516403775600550 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine Equine Fertility Unit, Mertoun Paddocks, Woodditton Road, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9BH, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Birth Weight
- Embryonic and Fetal Development / physiology
- Female
- Horses / embryology
- Horses / physiology
- Maternal Age
- Parity
- Placenta / physiology
- Placentation
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
Citations
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