Fetal programming for athletic performance in the horse: potential effects of IUGR

Incomplete ossification of the carpal, tarsal and navicular bones in a dysmature foal

“…IUGR implies that the normal growth process of the fetus was interrupted during gestation. One common feature of IUGR is decreased uteroplacental blood flow and increased uterine and fetal vascular resistance (Rossdale and Ousey 2002). Decreased uteroplacental blood flow may inhibit normal Fig 2: Lateromedial radiograph of the carpus (14 days old).…”

Differentiation Potential of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Is Altered by Intrauterine Growth Restriction

“…IUGR in humans (21,28) and animals, namely pig (33,52,53), sheep (31) and rat (54), results in increased body adiposity and fibrosis (55,56). In contrast, IUGR has a negative impact on bone (34,57), cartilage (58) and skeletal muscle development (33,59) as observed in horses (18,19) and dogs (17, 60). Our results indicated an increased predisposition of IUGR-MSCs for adipogenesis and fibrogenesis which suggested that IUGR programmes the adult stem cell niche during fetal development, and this may underpin the increased accumulation of fat and fibrous tissue reported in IUGR individuals, later in life (61).…”

“…This is the case of "runt" puppies, which may actually be preferred by some owners due to their appearance, but are at increased risk of presenting adverse developmental and metabolic features in adulthood (16,17). Likewise, IUGR can affect equine health and performance in adulthood by impacting negatively on muscle and skeleton development and function, metabolism and pulmonary efficiency (18,19).…”

Epidemiology of equine performance wastage: importance of analysing facts and implementing their message in management

“…The improvement of diagnostic techniques and prognostic evaluations relating to future prospects for soundness of performance is a challenge to both researchers and clinicians. Evaluation is based on: 1) congenital status of the individual at birth as a consequence of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (Rossdale and Ousey 2003;Sibbons 2006) or birth trauma (Jean et al 1999); 2) the presence of angular and other limb deformities in foal and yearling (O'Donahue et al 1992;Barr 1994); 3) the interplay between genetic composition of the individual and the environment in which it is raised (Ridley 2003;Rossdale 2005); and 4) the significance of various interposing conditions of injury or disease and the relationship of injury to predisposing factors of conformation (Andersen and McIlwraith 2004;Andersen et al 2004;R. Weller, unpublished data).…”