TY - JOUR
T1 - High-Risk Pregnancy Is Associated With Increased Alpha-Fetoprotein Concentrations in the Amniotic Fluid and Foal Plasma
AU - Lanci, Aliai
AU - Mariella, Jole
AU - Ellero, Nicola
AU - Canisso, Igor F.
AU - Dondi, Francesco
AU - Castagnetti, Carolina
N1 - Funding Information:
Conflict of interest statement: We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of us. We confirm that we have given due consideration to the protection of intellectual property associated with this work and that there are no impediments to publication, including the timing of publication, with respect to intellectual property. In so doing we confirm that we have followed the regulations of our institutions concerning intellectual property. We understand that the Corresponding Author is the sole contact for the Editorial process (including Editorial Manager and direct communications with the office). She is responsible for communicating with the other authors about progress, submissions of revisions and final approval of proofs. We confirm that we have provided a current, correct email address which is accessible by the Corresponding Author and which has been configured to accept email from Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - This study aimed to determine alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations in amniotic fluid, plasma of mares and respective foals: carrying normal pregnancies and delivering healthy foals (n = 20; Group 1); carrying apparently normal pregnancies and delivering sick foals (n = 15; Group 2); carrying high-risk pregnancies and delivering sick foals (n = 14; Group 3). High-risk pregnancy was defined by a history of premature udder development/lactation or increased of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta, or vulvar discharge and/or mares' systemic illness. Sick foals were affected by neonatal encephalopathy, sepsis, prematurity/dysmaturity, or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Based on histological examination of the chorioallantois, AFP trend was analyzed in pregnancies with pathologic (PFM) and normal fetal membranes (NFM). Concentrations of AFP were measured using a commercially available immunoassay previously validated for horses. Mares' plasma AFP did not change during the last 15–20 days of pregnancy in the three groups, and there was no difference among them. Amniotic fluid AFP was higher in Group 3 (P = .014). Foals’ plasma AFP concentration was higher from birth to 72hours in foals of Group 2 and 3 than in healthy ones, and foals of Group 3 had the highest value. The strong association (r = 0.84; P < .0001) between AFP in amniotic fluid and foals' plasma at birth is likely due to the presence of AFP in fetal urine. AFP was higher in pregnancy with PFM than with NFM in mare's plasma at admission (P = .031), amniotic fluid (P = .004), foal's plasma at birth (P = .002), at 24 (P = .005) and at 72 hours of life (P = .004). AFP is higher in pregnancy with histopathological lesions of the chorioallantois providing the evidence of the differences between pregnancy with a normal placental barrier and the more compromised ones. The increased AFP concentration in the amniotic fluid and plasma of high-risk foals suggests upregulation.
AB - This study aimed to determine alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations in amniotic fluid, plasma of mares and respective foals: carrying normal pregnancies and delivering healthy foals (n = 20; Group 1); carrying apparently normal pregnancies and delivering sick foals (n = 15; Group 2); carrying high-risk pregnancies and delivering sick foals (n = 14; Group 3). High-risk pregnancy was defined by a history of premature udder development/lactation or increased of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta, or vulvar discharge and/or mares' systemic illness. Sick foals were affected by neonatal encephalopathy, sepsis, prematurity/dysmaturity, or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Based on histological examination of the chorioallantois, AFP trend was analyzed in pregnancies with pathologic (PFM) and normal fetal membranes (NFM). Concentrations of AFP were measured using a commercially available immunoassay previously validated for horses. Mares' plasma AFP did not change during the last 15–20 days of pregnancy in the three groups, and there was no difference among them. Amniotic fluid AFP was higher in Group 3 (P = .014). Foals’ plasma AFP concentration was higher from birth to 72hours in foals of Group 2 and 3 than in healthy ones, and foals of Group 3 had the highest value. The strong association (r = 0.84; P < .0001) between AFP in amniotic fluid and foals' plasma at birth is likely due to the presence of AFP in fetal urine. AFP was higher in pregnancy with PFM than with NFM in mare's plasma at admission (P = .031), amniotic fluid (P = .004), foal's plasma at birth (P = .002), at 24 (P = .005) and at 72 hours of life (P = .004). AFP is higher in pregnancy with histopathological lesions of the chorioallantois providing the evidence of the differences between pregnancy with a normal placental barrier and the more compromised ones. The increased AFP concentration in the amniotic fluid and plasma of high-risk foals suggests upregulation.
KW - Alpha-fetoprotein
KW - Amniotic fluid
KW - High-risk pregnancy
KW - Mare
KW - Neonatal foal
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104124
DO - 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104124
M3 - Article
C2 - 36154851
AN - SCOPUS:85141789910
SN - 0737-0806
VL - 119
JO - Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
JF - Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
M1 - 104124
ER -