FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal2003; 35(5); 476-483; doi: 10.2746/042516403775600550

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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2003-07-24 PubMed ID: 12875326DOI: 10.2746/042516403775600550Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 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

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 5
Pages: 476-483

Researcher Affiliations

Wilsher, S
  • University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine Equine Fertility Unit, Mertoun Paddocks, Woodditton Road, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9BH, UK.
Allen, W R

    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

    This article has been cited 24 times.
    1. Martinez RE, Leatherwood JL, Bradbery AN, Paris BL, Hammer CJ, Kelley D, Bazer FW, Wu G. Evaluation of dietary arginine supplementation to increase placental nutrient transporters in aged mares. Transl Anim Sci 2023 Jan;7(1):txad058.
      doi: 10.1093/tas/txad058pubmed: 37593152google scholar: lookup
    2. Hallman I, Karikoski N, Kareskoski M. The effects of obesity and insulin dysregulation on mare reproduction, pregnancy, and foal health: a review. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1180622.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1180622pubmed: 37152686google scholar: lookup
    3. Zhang F, Zhang X, Zhong Y, Zhu S, Zhao G, Zhang X, Li T, Zhang Y, Zhu W. Joint Exposure to Ambient Air Pollutants Might Elevate the Risk of Small for Gestational Age (SGA) Infants in Wuhan: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Public Health 2022;67:1605391.
      doi: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1605391pubmed: 36686387google scholar: lookup
    4. Sharman P, Young AJ, Wilson AJ. Evidence of maternal and paternal age effects on speed in thoroughbred racehorses. R Soc Open Sci 2022 Oct;9(10):220691.
      doi: 10.1098/rsos.220691pubmed: 36249332google scholar: lookup
    5. Wathes DC. Developmental Programming of Fertility in Cattle-Is It a Cause for Concern?. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 3;12(19).
      doi: 10.3390/ani12192654pubmed: 36230395google scholar: lookup
    6. Inoue S. Influence of broodmare aging on its offspring's racing performance. PLoS One 2022;17(7):e0271535.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271535pubmed: 35862341google scholar: lookup
    7. Katila T, Ferreira-Dias G. Evolution of the Concepts of Endometrosis, Post Breeding Endometritis, and Susceptibility of Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 19;12(6).
      doi: 10.3390/ani12060779pubmed: 35327176google scholar: lookup
    8. Campbell MLH. Ethics: use and misuse of assisted reproductive techniques across species. Reprod Fertil 2021 Jul;2(3):C23-C28.
      doi: 10.1530/RAF-21-0004pubmed: 35118394google scholar: lookup
    9. Neto da Silva AC, Costa AL, Teixeira A, Alpoim-Moreira J, Fernandes C, Fradinho MJ, Rebordão MR, Silva E, Ferreira da Silva J, Bliebernicht M, Alexandre-Pires G, Ferreira-Dias G. Collagen and Microvascularization in Placentas From Young and Older Mares. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:772658.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.772658pubmed: 35059454google scholar: lookup
    10. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Barnes TS, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Bishop EL, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Survival Analysis of Training Methodologies and Other Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injury in 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:698298.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698298pubmed: 34796223google scholar: lookup
    11. Antczak DF, Allen WRT. Placentation in Equids. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 2021;234:91-128.
      doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-77360-1_6pubmed: 34694479google scholar: lookup
    12. Stefanetti V, Pascucci L, Wilsher S, Cappelli K, Capomaccio S, Reale L, Passamonti F, Coletti M, Crociati M, Monaci M, Marenzoni ML. Differential Expression Pattern of Retroviral Envelope Gene in the Equine Placenta. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:693416.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.693416pubmed: 34307531google scholar: lookup
    13. Fawcett JA, Innan H, Tsuchiya T, Sato F. Effect of advancing age on the reproductive performance of Japanese Thoroughbred broodmares. J Equine Sci 2021 Jun;32(2):31-37.
      doi: 10.1294/jes.32.31pubmed: 34220269google scholar: lookup
    14. Nekliudova UA, Schwaha TF, Kotenko ON, Gruber D, Cyran N, Ostrovsky AN. Three in one: evolution of viviparity, coenocytic placenta and polyembryony in cyclostome bryozoans. BMC Ecol Evol 2021 Apr 12;21(1):54.
      doi: 10.1186/s12862-021-01775-zpubmed: 33845757google scholar: lookup
    15. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Phillips CJC, Greer RM, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Kidd LJ, Ahern BJ. The Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia: How These Vary for Two-Year-Old and Older Horses and with Type of Injury. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 21;11(2).
      doi: 10.3390/ani11020270pubmed: 33494508google scholar: lookup
    16. Vieira GS, Paludo GR, Ramos AF, Pivato I, de Oliveira RA. Fetal development and blood hematological-biochemical parameters in Campeiro and Pantaneiro foals. Anim Reprod 2018 Aug 16;15(1):39-44.
      doi: 10.21451/1984-3143-2017-AR0056pubmed: 33365093google scholar: lookup
    17. 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.
      doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42941-0pubmed: 31015538google scholar: lookup
    18. Kuhl J, Stock KF, Wulf M, Aurich C. Maternal Lineage of Warmblood Mares Contributes to Variation of Gestation Length and Bias of Foal Sex Ratio. PLoS One 2015;10(10):e0139358.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139358pubmed: 26436555google scholar: lookup
    19. Paczkowski M, Schoolcraft WB, Krisher RL. Dysregulation of methylation and expression of imprinted genes in oocytes and reproductive tissues in mice of advanced maternal age. J Assist Reprod Genet 2015 May;32(5):713-23.
      doi: 10.1007/s10815-015-0463-9pubmed: 25800995google scholar: lookup
    20. Antczak DF, de Mestre AM, Wilsher S, Allen WR. The equine endometrial cup reaction: a fetomaternal signal of significance. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2013 Jan;1:419-42.
      doi: 10.1146/annurev-animal-031412-103703pubmed: 25387026google scholar: lookup
    21. Favaron PO, Mess AM, de Oliveira MF, Gabory A, Miglino MA, Chavatte-Palmer P, Tarrade A. Morphometric analysis of the placenta in the New World mouse Necromys lasiurus (Rodentia, Cricetidae): a comparison of placental development in cricetids and murids. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2013 Feb 21;11:10.
      doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-11-10pubmed: 23433040google scholar: lookup
    22. Fowden AL, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Coan PM, Constancia M, Burton GJ. Placental efficiency and adaptation: endocrine regulation. J Physiol 2009 Jul 15;587(Pt 14):3459-72.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.173013pubmed: 19451204google scholar: lookup
    23. Rivero MJ, Cooke AS, Gandarillas M, Leon R, Merino VM, Velásquez A. Nutritional composition, fatty acids profile and immunoglobulin G concentrations of mare milk of the Chilean Corralero horse breed. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0310693.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310693pubmed: 39298497google scholar: lookup
    24. Monaco D, Castagnetti C, Lanci A, Osman TK, Lacalandra GM, Fusi J. On-field Gross Morphology Evaluation of Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Fetal Membranes. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 24;14(11).
      doi: 10.3390/ani14111553pubmed: 38891600google scholar: lookup
    Subscribe to our newsletter
    Join 99,970 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.