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A morphometric study of foetal and newborn cardiac growth in the horse
1Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Insights
Equine fetal heart development shows linear growth in weight and dimensions, with specific ventricular wall thickness patterns. The right ventricle
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Anatomy
- Developmental Biology
- Equine Cardiology
Background:
- Understanding equine fetal cardiac development is crucial for veterinary medicine.
- Morphometric data provides insights into normal growth and potential abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a detailed morphometric analysis of equine fetal hearts.
- To establish growth patterns and dimensional relationships during late gestation and early postnatal life.
Main Methods:
- Studied 81 equine fetuses (190-330 days) and 26 newborn foals.
- Measured heart weight, external dimensions, ventricular wall thickness, and vessel features.
- Correlated cardiac measurements with fetal age.
Main Results:
- Cardiac measurements and associated vessels exhibited linear growth correlated with fetal age.
- The ratio of right to total ventricular weight increased during gestation, then decreased post-birth.
- Interventricular septum was thickest, followed by the right ventricle, then the left ventricle.
Conclusions:
- Equine cardiac development follows a predictable linear growth trajectory in late pregnancy.
- Ventricular proportions and wall thickness change significantly during late gestation and early neonatal periods.
- This study provides a valuable reference for equine cardiovascular development.
Abstract:
A morphometric study of hearts in 81 equine foetuses, ranging in age from 190 to 330 days of foetal age, and in 26 newborn foals is reported. The mean weight, external dimensions, ventricular wall thickness and circumference of the atrio-ventricular orifice were measured. Features of the main associated vessels of the heart were also recorded. All cardiac measurements of foetuses increased linearly throughout the latter half of pregnancy and were highly correlated with foetal age. This linear growth pattern was also found in the parameters of the associated arterial trunks. The ratio of the right ventricular weight to the total ventricular weight in the equine foetuses increased gradually from 0.27 (Day 190) to 0.34 (full term), but in newborn foals, this ratio began to decrease soon after birth, declining from 0.32 to 0.28 by 11 days of age. The interventricular septum was thickest followed by the right ventricular wall, and the left ventricular wall was thinnest during the period of gestation studied. The right ventricle was 3.2 per cent to 31.5 per cent thicker than the left ventricle.