Associations between fetal size, sex and placental angiogenesis in the pig

Inadequate fetal growth cannot be remedied postnatally, leading to severe consequences for neonatal and adult development. It is hypothesized that growth restriction occurs due to inadequate placental vascularization. This study investigated the relationship between porcine fetal size, sex, and plac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology of reproduction 2019-01, Vol.100 (1), p.239-252
Main Authors: Stenhouse, Claire, Hogg, Charis O, Ashworth, Cheryl J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Angiogenesis
Animals
Female
Fetal Development - physiology
fetal growth
Fetal Weight - physiology
Fetus - physiology
Fetuses
intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
Male
Neovascularization, Physiologic - physiology
Placenta - blood supply
Placentation - physiology
porcine
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Animal
reproduction
Reproductive health
Sex Characteristics
Sex Factors
sexual dimorphism
Swine - physiology
vascularity
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Summary:Inadequate fetal growth cannot be remedied postnatally, leading to severe consequences for neonatal and adult development. It is hypothesized that growth restriction occurs due to inadequate placental vascularization. This study investigated the relationship between porcine fetal size, sex, and placental angiogenesis at multiple gestational days (GD). Placental samples supplying the lightest and closest to mean litter weight (CTMLW), male and female Large White X Landrace fetuses were obtained at GD30, 45, 60, and 90. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased chorioallantoic membrane CD31 staining in placentas supplying the lightest compared to those supplying the CTMLW fetuses at GD60. At GD90, placentas supplying the lightest fetuses had decreased CD31 staining in the chorioallantoic membrane compared to those supplying the CTMLW fetuses. The mRNA expression of six candidate genes with central roles at the feto-maternal interface increased with advancing gestation. At GD60, ACP5 expression was increased in placentas supplying the lightest compared to the CTMLW fetuses. At GD45, CD31 expression was decreased in placentas supplying the lightest compared to the CTMLW fetuses. In contrast, CD31 expression was increased in placentas supplying the lightest compared the CTMLW fetuses at GD60. In vitro endothelial cell branching assays demonstrated that placentas supplying the lightest and male fetuses impaired endothelial cell branching compared to placentas from the CTMLW (GD45 and 60) and female fetuses (GD60), respectively. This study has highlighted that placentas supplying the lightest and male fetuses have impaired angiogenesis. Importantly, the relationship between fetal size, sex, and placental vascularity is dynamic and dependent upon the GD investigated. Summary Sentence Placentas supplying the lightest and male porcine fetuses have impaired angiogenesis compared to their normally grown and female littermates. The relationship between fetal size, sex, and placental vascularity is dependent upon the gestational day investigated.
ISSN:0006-3363
1529-7268
DOI:10.1093/biolre/ioy184