The comparative aspects of hystricomorph subplacenta: potential endocrine organ.

Background: The placenta of hystricomorph rodents, lagomorphs and some primates includes an unusual structure, termed a subplacenta, which essentially consists of trophoblastic cells located deep to the central implantation site within the area of decidualization. It has been suggested that the subplacenta is functionally important, although considerable controversy remains on the issue. In this context, our objective was to compare the architecture and structure of the subplacentas of different hystricomorph species, to investigate the possibility that it is active in hormone synthesis.

The Tumor Microenvironment: Focus on Extracellular Matrix.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates the development and maintains tissue homeostasis. The ECM is composed of a complex network of molecules presenting distinct biochemical properties to regulate cell growth, survival, motility, and differentiation. Among their components, proteoglycans (PGs) are considered one of the main components of ECM.

Resiliency of equid H19 imprint to somatic cell reprogramming by oocyte nuclear transfer and genetically induced pluripotency†.

Cell reprogramming by somatic cell nuclear transfer and in induced pluripotent stem cells is associated with epigenetic modifications that are often incompatible with embryonic development and differentiation. For instance, aberrant DNA methylation patterns of the differentially methylated region and biallelic expression of H19-/IGF2-imprinted gene locus have been associated with abnormal growth of fetuses and placenta in several mammalian species. However, cloned horses are born with normal sizes and with no apparent placental anomalies, suggesting that H19/IGF2 imprinting may be epigenetically stable after reprogramming in this species.

Morphological characteristics of mule conceptuses during early development.

Hybrids between species are often infertile and extremely rare among mammals. Mules, i.e.

Optimization of Canine Placenta Decellularization: An Alternative Source of Biological Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine.

Due to the scarcity of tissues and organs for transplantation, the demand for bioengineered tissues is increasing with the advancement of technologies and new treatments in human and animal regenerative medicine. Thus, decellularized placental extracellular matrix (ECM) has emerged as a new tool for the production of biological scaffolds for subsequent recellularization and implantation for recovery of injured areas or even for replacement of organ and tissue fractions. To be classified as an ideal biological scaffold, the ECM must be acellular and preserve its proteins and physical features to be useful for cellular adhesion.

Canine Placenta Recellularized Using Yolk Sac Cells with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

Regenerative medicine has been growing because of the emergent need for tissues/organs for transplants and restorative surgeries. Biological scaffolds are important tools to try to solve this problem. The one used in this reserach was developed by an acellular biological scaffold from canine placenta with a rich source of cellular matrix.

Central Nervous System and Vertebrae Development in Horses: a Chronological Study with Differential Temporal Expression of Nestin and GFAP.

The neural system is one of the earliest systems to develop and the last to be fully developed after birth. This study presents a detailed description of organogenesis of the central nervous system (CNS) at equine embryonic/fetal development between 19 and 115 days of pregnancy. The expression of two important biomarkers in the main structure of the nervous system responsible for neurogenesis in the adult individual, and in the choroid plexus, was demonstrated by Nestin and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) co-labeling.

Organogenesis of the Musculoskeletal System in Horse Embryos and Early Fetuses.

Musculoskeletal system development involves heterotypical inductive interactions between tendons, muscles, and cartilage and knowledge on organogenesis is required for clarification of its function. The aim of this study was to describe the organogenesis of horse musculoskeletal system between 21 and 105 days of gestation, using detailed macroscopic and histological analyses focusing on essential developmental steps. At day 21 of gestation the skin was translucid, but epithelial condensation and fibrocartilaginous tissues were observed on day 25 of pregnancy.

Microvascularization of corpus luteum of bovine treated with equine chorionic gonadotropin.

This study aimed to evaluate the morphological changes in microvascular density and corpus luteum (CL) vascularization in cows treated with eCG during stimulatory and superovulatory protocols. Sixteen cows were synchronized and divided into three groups: control (n = 6), stimulated (n = 4) and superovulated (n =6), one was submitted to estrous synchronization (ES) and received no eCG (control), and those that were submitted to ES and received eCG before or after follicular deviation (superovulation and stimulation of the dominant follicle, respectively). Ovulation was synchronized using a progesterone device-based protocol.

Prenatal development of the digestive system in the horse.

Since the horse has a highly precocial reproductive strategy, most organs are functionally well developed at birth and thus, embryonic and fetal life is interesting. Data on the development of important organs are very limited. Here, we detailed macroscopically and histologically the equine digestive system, focusing on the first third of gestation.

Equine chorionic gonadotropin alters luteal cell morphologic features related to progesterone synthesis.

Exogenous eCG for stimulation of a single dominant follicle or for superovulation are common strategies to improve reproductive efficiency by increasing pregnancy rates and embryo production, respectively. Morphofunctional changes in the CL of eCG-treated cattle include increases in CL volume and plasma progesterone concentrations. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that eCG alters the content of luteal cells and mitochondria related to hormone production.