Organogenesis of lung and kidney in Thoroughbreds and ponies

Abstract

Summary Equine lung and kidney organogenesis has not previously been examined with the use of unbiased stereological techniques. The present study examined healthy (control) pony and Thoroughbred lungs and kidneys to establish baseline data of organ development from before birth until maturity at age 3–18 years. Whole left lungs and kidneys were collected from 45 equine postmortem examinations (34 Thoroughbred, 11 pony). Stereological techniques were used to estimate whole kidney, cortex and medulla volume, total glomerular number and volume‐weighted mean glomerular volume, lung volume, total terminal bronchiolar duct ending number and total gas exchange surface area. Lungs were demonstrated to be more developed at birth in ponies compared with Thoroughbreds. Thoroughbreds showed continued lung development after birth, a unique micromorphogenic postnatal development. Kidneys were developed equally in ponies and Thoroughbreds. This study has provided data on the baseline development of the equiune lung and kidney which can be used in further studies to examine whether the development of these organs is affected by specific illnesses.

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

“…Similar studies are beginning to emerge in horses examining the stereological development of various organ systems, including the placenta (Allen et al 2002). One study, reported by Beech et al (2001), has shown that the lungs of ponies are more developed at birth compared with Thoroughbreds; and that lung development in Thoroughbreds continues after birth, a unique micromorphogenic postnatal development in this species compared to others studied. In another study, have shown that the microstructural development of kidneys is equivalent in ponies and Thoroughbreds at birth.…”

Fifty years of the British Equine Veterinary Association as a facilitator of progress in equine clinical science

“…Reports of work performed upon premature and dysmature foals in the 1990s were extended by research devoted to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (Han 1993; Beech et al . 2001).…”

About the development of the pH- and ABE value in venous blood of foals from uncomplicated births in the first 96 hours of life

“…Diese praenatale Alveolisierung scheint aber nicht gleichmäßig zu erfolgen, sondern unterliegt offenbar bestimmten, vor allem individuellen Einflüssen. So wiesen Beech et al (2001) nach, dass die fetale Lungenentwicklung bei Pony's kompakter und progressiver verläuft als bei Vollblutpferden. Neben der praenatal noch nicht vollendeten Lungenorganogenese spielt wahrscheinlich auch die ungenügende Surfactant-Bildung eine Rolle.…”