Histomorphometry of the placental vasculature and microcotyledons in Thoroughbred mares with chronic laminitis.

The objective of this study was to assess the placental vasculature and microcotyledons in pregnant mares with chronic laminitis. Twenty-six pregnant mares were enrolled in the study, 13 had chronic laminitis (Laminitis Group) and 13 were healthy mares (Healthy Group). Arterial systolic pressure and heart rate were measured in the last 30 days of gestation. After foaling, the fetal membranes were grossly evaluated and samples were harvested for histopathologic examination. All mares had digitalized images taken from chorioallantois for histomorphometry analyses (software-NIH ImageJ). Images were assessed for: (i) arterioles from the allantoic region: total and lumen vascular diameter and vascular wall thickness; (ii) microcotiledonary and capillary area/field. Mares in the Laminitis Group showed hypertension, shorter gestational length, lower placental weight and lower birthweight (p < 0.05) foal in comparison with mares in the Healthy Group. Laminitis mares had a reduction of vascular lumen diameters in the uterine body and pregnant horn (p < 0.05), vascular wall thickening in the pregnant horn (p < 0.05) and smaller capillary area/field in the microcotyledons of uterine body and pregnant horn (p < 0.05). In conclusion, pregnant mares with chronic laminitis presented signs of hypertension syndrome, and vascular abnormalitities in placental vessels such as reduction in the vascular lumen and capillary area in the microcotyledones, and thickening of the vascular wall. Foals born from mares with chronic laminitis showed lower birth weight and shorter gestation lengths.

Proteinograma sérico de éguas com placentite ascendente e seus respectivos neonatos: dados preliminares / Serum protein concentrationin mares with ascending placentitis and their newborns: preliminary data

Este estudo teve por objetivo estabelecer o proteinograma sérico em éguas com placentite induzida e em seus respectivos neonatos. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue das éguas em oito momentos diferentes e dos potros em quatro momentos. Para obtenção da concentração das frações proteicas, utilizou-se eletroforese em gel de acrilaminada contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE). No método utilizado, foram observadas 23 bandas proteicas, cujos pesos moleculares variaram de 16KDa a 245KDa, sendo possível a identificação das seguintes frações: 175KDa, 102KDa, 83KDa, 63KDa, 50KDa, 41KDa, 39KDa e 28KDa. De todas as bandas proteicas encontradas, somente as de 39KDa e 41KDa apresentaram alteração na cinética nos momentos avaliados. De acordo com a solução marcadora, pode-se sugerir que essas proteínas seriam alfa1-glicoproteína ácida (39KDa) e haptoglobina (41KDa). A concentração de imunoglobulinas nos potros apresentou aumento significativo a partir das 12 horas de nascimento. Não está elucidado se estes níveis refletem a persistência do processo inflamatório placentário ou se são alterações fisiológicas do periparto. Não foram observadas alterações na cinética das proteínas nos potros nas primeiras 48 horas.(AU)

The aim of this paper was to identify the serum acute phase protein concentration in mares with induced placentitis and their neonates. Blood samples were collected from the mares in 8 different moments, and from the foals, in 4 moments. To obtain the concentration of protein fractions acrilaminada gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE) was used. In the used method 23 protein bands whose molecular weights ranged from 16kDa to 245kDa were observed, it is possible to identify the following fractions: 175kDa, 102kDa, 83kDa, 63kDa, 50kDa, 41kDa, 39kDa and 28kDa. Of all the protein bands found only the 39KDa and 41KDa have changes in the kinetics in the evaluated times. According to the marker solution, we would suggest that these proteins are alfa1-acid glycoprotein (39kDa) and haptoglobin (41kDa). The concentration of immunoglobulins in foals increased significantly from 12 hours of birth.(AU)