Evaluation of Placentome Morphology in the Last Two Periods of Pregnancy in Hair Goats (Capra aegagrus hircus)

Abstract

This study was carried out on pregnant uteruses obtained from healthy Hair goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). A total of thirteen pregnant uteruses, six second and seven third trimesters, were used. Morphometrically, placentome numbers, lengths, widths and depths were measured. Randomly selected placentomes from the second and third trimesters were stained with the triple staining method. Caruncular and cotyledonary areas, capillary numbers and areas were measured using Qupath v0.5.0 software. The Minitab (version 21.4.1) was used for statistical analysis. While no statistical difference was observed in the number of placentomes between trimesters (p > 0.05), placentome length, width and depth were higher in the third trimester compared to the second trimester (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in the number of caruncular and cotyledonary capillaries in the second trimester. In the second trimester, the caruncular capillary area was higher than the cotyledonary capillary area (p < 0.05). Both caruncular and cotyledonary capillary area parameters were higher in the third trimester than in the second trimester (p < 0.001). In the third trimester, the caruncular capillary area was higher than the cotyledonary capillary area (p < 0.001). The number of caruncular capillaries and cotyledonary capillaries was statistically significantly higher in the third trimester compared to the second trimester. In addition, the number of cotyledonary capillaries was higher than that of caruncular capillaries in the third trimester (p < 0.001). A positive and significant correlation was found between the day of pregnancy and the number of placentomes in the second trimester (p < 0.05). No correlation was observed between the day of pregnancy and the number of placentomes in the third trimester. Vascular area density showed a faster development in foetal tissue than in maternal tissue. Placentome size and angiogenesis increased with the progression of pregnancy.