CHAPTER 9 COMPARATIVE PLACENTATION

the embryo is initially nourished by secretions from the uterine glands. Collectively, these products are
known as histotrophe or ‘uterine milk’.

This allows the embryo to import blood borne maternal nutrients, the haemotrophe, and to export its
own waste products.

Together, histotrophe and haemotrophe are referred to as embryotrophe.

To accomplish exchange between the mother and her embryo a temporary organ, the placenta, is
formed by contributions of both extraembryonic and maternal tissues.

whereby the embryo leaves the uterine lumen, is known as implantation.

-CHANGES IN THE ENDOMETRIUM AND MATERNAL RECOGNITION OF PREGNANCY-

During metoestrus, the endometrial oedema decreases and some of the congested blood vessels break
down. This phenomenon, referred to as metorrhagia

Luteolysis must be prevented if pregnancy is to continue. The maintenance of the corpus luteum or
corpora lutea is based upon maternal recognition of pregnancy, a series of events depending upon
synchronous development of the embryo on the one hand and of a receptive endometrium on the
other.

-CLASSIFICATION OF PLACENTA-

One scheme is based on nature of the extraembryonic tissue that contributes to the placenta, leading to
placentae being classified as either choriovitelline or chorioallantoic.

In the choriovitelline placenta, the yolk sac wall combines locally with the chorion to form an area for
exchange

In the chorioallantoic placenta, which is the primary functional placenta in all domestic species, is
established by fusion between the allantoic wall and chorion establishing the chorioallantois.

Another classification scheme is based on the structure of the chorioallantoic surface and its interaction
with the endometrium.

Areas where the chorioallantois interacts with the endometrium and engages in placental formation are
referred to as chorion frondosum.

Areas where the chorioallantois is free, not engaged in placental formation, and therefore has a smooth
surface, are known as chorion leave.
In pigs and horses, chorion frondosum is diffusely distributed over the entire chorioallantoic surface and
so the placenta is categorized as being diffuse.

The porcine chorioallantoic surface area is increased by foldings, revealed as primary plicae and
secondary rugae, and is thus referred to as being folded.

In the horse, because chorionic villi are gathered in numerous specialized ‘microzones’, known as
microcotyledons, and extending into crypts of the endometrium, the equine placenta is also referred to
as being villous.

In ruminants, chorion frondosum is organized as arborizing chorionic villi assembled into larger
macroscopically visible tufts called cotyledons. Hence, the ruminant placenta is known as cotyledonary
or multiplex and villous. The cotyledons combine with endometrial prominences known as caruncles,
forming placentomes

the chorion frondosum is organized into a broad belt extending around the longitudinal axis of the
embryo where it forms lamellae. This type of placenta is consequently referred to as being zonary and
lamellar

A third classification scheme is based on the number of tissue layers separating the fetal and maternal
circulations, thereby forming the placental barrier

the endometrium presents three layers that could contribute to the placental barrier: the endometrial
epithelium, connective tissue, and vascular endothelium.

In domestic animals, the number of maternal layers in the placental barrier results in two main placental
classes: the epitheliochorial and the endotheliochorial placentae.

The epitheliochorial placenta in ruminants is modified as particular trophoblast cells cross into, and fuse
with, some of the endometrial epithelial cells. Hence, the placenta is referred to as synepitheliochorial.

-ECTOPIC PREGNANCY-

Pregnancies occurring elsewhere than in the uterine cavity are termed ectopic. this condition occurs
mainly in the oviducts or in the abdomen

Oviductal pregnancies may account for more than 95% of all ectopic pregnancies in humans;

The abdominal type of ectopic pregnancy may occur either as a result of a zygote entering the
abdominal cavity and attaching to the mesentery or abdominal viscera (primary abdominal form) or,
more commonly, by rupture of the oviduct or uterus followed by expulsion of the embryo/fetus
(secondary abdominal form).