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Environmental constraints and pathologies that modulate equine placental genes and development
Morgane Robles1,2,3, Shavahn Loux4, Amanda M de Mestre5
1INRS Centre Armand-Frappier et Santé Biotechnologique, Laval, Québec, Canada.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|January 12, 2022
Summary
Equine placental development involves unique transient and definitive stages. Maternal factors significantly impact placental gene expression and structure, affecting fetal and offspring health.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Equine Science
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Equine placental development is a prolonged process with distinct implantation and placental types.
- The definitive epitheliochorial placenta facilitates nutrient, gas, and waste exchange via microcotyledons and areolae.
- Placental development is sensitive to maternal environment and reproductive pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review normal equine placental development and structure.
- To examine the influence of the maternal environment and pathologies on placental gene expression and structure.
- To highlight placental plasticity in response to environmental variations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on equine placental development.
- Analysis of gene expression and structural data at pre-implantation and term stages.
- Focus on trophoblast and placental responses to environmental factors.
Main Results:
- Normal placental development includes a transient invasive phase and a definitive diffuse epitheliochorial structure.
- Maternal factors and pathologies alter placental gene expression and structure.
- Placental plasticity is evident, with distinct gene expression patterns in pre-implantation versus term stages.
Conclusions:
- Equine placental development is complex and influenced by maternal health and environment.
- Environmental variations induce significant changes in placental gene expression, particularly related to oxidative stress and differentiation early on, and growth and nutrient transfer later.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fetal and long-term offspring health.
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