The origin of amniotic polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the mare.

The research study focuses on the investigation of the presence and origin of specific cells, known as polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNLs), in the amniotic fluid of mares during birth. The study also determined that these cells originate from the foetus.

Objective of the Study

• The main goal of this research was to investigate the presence and origin of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNLs) in the amniotic fluid of mares during the process of giving birth. These cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response. Specifically, the researchers wanted to identify where these cells originated—the mare or the foetus.

Methodology

• The researchers collected and analyzed the amniotic fluid from 25 mares during parturition, before the breakage of the amniotic vesicle, to maximize the integrity of the samples.
• Manual microscopic cytologic evaluation was conducted on cytospin preparations after staining, to detect the presence of PMNLs.
• The genomic DNA was then extracted from some of these amniotic fluid samples and genotyped.

Findings

• Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were found in all the amniotic fluid samples that were examined. This confirms their presence in the amniotic fluid during birth.
• Through genotyping, the researchers discovered that the PMNLs in the amniotic fluid originate from the foetus, not the mare. This is an important finding as it improves understanding of the types of cells present in the amniotic fluid during delivery and how they interact with labour and other reproductive processes.

Conclusion

• Through this study, researchers have added to the body of knowledge around the composition of amniotic fluid during labour in mares. Specifically, the discovery of the fetal origin of PMNLs in the amniotic fluid might influence further studies regarding the fetal immune response.