Maternal recognition and placentation during pregnancy

Lecture 1
Assist.Prof.Dr.Talib Ghaidan
Definition: (pregnancy)
The gestation or pregnancy period is the period from fertilization or conception to
parturition or the birth of young. The mortality rate during this period is much
greater than for any other period of equal length after birth. The gestation period can
be divided in to (3) parts based on the followings:
1-The size of the individual.
2-Development of the tissue & organs.

A-The period of the ovum or blastula:

B- Period of the embryo & organogenesis:
C-3- The period of the fetus & fetal growth.
1-Period of ovum

*This period about (10-12) days in the cow extends from the time
of fertilization that usually occurs within a few hours after
ovulation, to the development of the zygote.
*During the period of the ovum, division or cleavage of the
fertilized ovum in the region (ampullary- isthemic junction)
of the oviduct.
*( Morula stage (16-32 cells).
*The morula enters the uterus on the 3rd day in sow
*The morula enters the uterus on the 4th to 5th in other domestic
animals. In this period defective ova die and are absorbed.
The CL is developing and producing progesterone.
2-Period of embryo & organogenesis:

*This period extends from (12-15) days to about 45 days of gestation in

the cow,11 to about 34 days in the ewe & probably about 12-60
days in the horse.
*The characteristics of this period are:
*The major tissues, organs & systems of the body are formed and
changes in body shape occur so that by the end of this period the
species of the embryo is readily recognizable.
*By 22 days the heart is crudely formed and beating.
*By 25 days the neural tube is closed.
*The allantoises is well developed, anterior limb buds are formed and
eye and brain development are well advanced.
*Attachment of the fetal membrane (33-36) days of gestation.
* During this period the sever teratologic defects or anomalies of
development occur, or embryo may be die or become macerated
& absorbed.
3-The period of the fetus & fetal growth.
The period extend about:
34 days of gestation in the sheep and dog.
45 days in cattle.
55 days in the horses, to the parturition. During this period
minor details in the differentiation of organs, tissues, &
systems occur.
Increase the size & weight of the fetus.
 Definition of
Maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP)
*Presence of viable, developing embryo(s), prevents
CL from regressing and therefore in polyestrous
species inhibits return of estrus. The phenomenon
is describes as “Maternal recognition of
pregnancy (MRP)

*The critical period for signaling by the conceptus to

block Luteolysis and allow pregnancy to be
established is called Maternal recognition of
pregnancy (MRP).
 Luteal Regression

PGF2α
(Bovine, Ovine,
PGF2α
Porcine)
(Equine)

No Uterine Factor
(human)
 CL Status
Luteolysis
Mechanisms

CL Regression
•Lutelytic
(+) •No CL support
C Uterine PGF2α
L CL Maintenance
•Antiluteolytic
» Block PGF2α effects
Filamentous Embryo •Lute trophic
(+) » Stimulate progesterone
production by CL

Maintained
Recognition of Pregnancy

Conceptus Secretions
• Proteins
• Steroids
 Days of MRP
Time of maternal recognition of pregnancy

Species Day of MRP Day of definite

attachment
Sow 12 18
Ewe 12-13 6
Cow 16-17 18-22
Mare 12-16 36-38
Goat 17
 Time of Implantation
Attachment to Uterus

Species Beginning Completion

pig 13 24
cow 22 40
sheep 15 28
mare 24 - 40 95 - 100
human 7-8 30
 MRP in EWE
The antiluteolytic factor produced by the ovine conceptus is characterized
by:
✔ Protein, molecular weight of 19- 24 Kda

✔ Ovine trophoblast protein (oTP-1)

✔ Now classified as tau interferon

• (oIFN-tau)

✔ Maximum secretion occurring

between days 10 of gestation

 MRP in goat
❖ The Caprine conceptus
secretes a protein originally
designated cTP-1

❖ Recently named as cIFN-tau

❖ secreted between days 16

and 21 of gestation.
 Recognition of Pregnancy in Bovine and
Ovine

Conceptus Secretions
• Interferons
Mechanism •oIFN-τ
•Antiluteolytic •bIFN-τ
• Inhibit oxytocin
receptor synthesis
• Inhibit PGF2α Critical Days
synthesis • Bovine - 16 to 17
• Ovine - 12 to 13
 MRP in Mare
Suppression of uterine PGF production (till day – 16) includes

1. conceptus-directed down regulation of endometrial

prostaglandin synthase 2
2. Activity a post transcriptional inhibition of endometrial
oxytocin-receptor expression

*Migration of the spherical conceptus within the uterine lumen until it

becomes ‘fixed’ at 16 to 18 days of gestation at the base of the
uterine horn.

*E2 indirectly influences production of other hormones and substances

necessary for MRP
Recognition of Pregnancy in the Human

Conceptus Secretes
• HCG

Mechanism
• luteotrophic

HC
G
Critical Days
•8 to 12
Placenta

The placenta is a “vascular organ in most mammals that provide

connection between the fetus to the uterus of the mother. It
mediates the metabolic exchanges of the developing individual
through an intimate association of embryonic tissues and of
certain uterine tissues, serving the functions of nutrition,
respiration, and excretion.”
Placental development
The placenta is a FETOMATERNAL organ composed of two different surfaces:

*The maternal surface, facing towards the outside. Derived rom the endometrium.
*The fetal surface, facing towards the inside, or the fetus. Derived from the chorionic sac

On the fetal surface, we can observe the umbilical cord, the link
between the placenta and the fetus . Placenta and umbilical cord
form a transport system for substances between mother and fetus.
 Placenta functions
As the fetus is in full development, it requires a certain amount
of gases and nutrients to help support its growth. Because the
fetus is unable to do so on its own, the placenta provides these
gases and nutrients throughout pregnancy.
*During pregnancy, the placenta has 6 main roles to maintain
good health and a good environment for the growing fetus:
1 Respiration
2 Nutrition
3 Excretion
4 Protection
5 Endocrine
6 Immunity
 Cell Layers Separating Maternal and Fetal Blood
Fetal Maternal

Capillary Capillary

Endothelium Endothelium

Connective Connective
Tissue Tissue
Chorionic Endometrial
Epithelium Epithelium
 Histological Classification
Tissues epithelial- syndesmo- endothelial- hemo- hemo-
chorial chorial chorial chorial endothelial

Maternal
endothelium + + + - -
conn. tissue + + - - -
epithelium + - - - -

Fetal
epithelium + + + + -
conn. tissue + + + + -
endothelium + + + + +

Species pig *ruminant dog human rat

horse cat rabbit
ruminant
Shape or Distribution of Chorionic Villi
• Cotelydonary - cow, sheep
• Diffuse - pig, horse
• Zonary - dog, cat
• Discoid - human
Cotelydonary
Placenta

Cow

Convex
Ewe
Cotelydon (Chorion) Concave
Caruncle

70 - 120 90 - 100
Endometrium
 Diffuse Placenta Horse

Pig

Microcotyledons
Zonary Placenta
(bitch, queen)
Discoid Placenta
(human)
 Hormones of placenta
• HCG-Human-Like LH
• PMSG-Mare-Like FSH