Qual o papel placentário e materno no desenvolvimento de potros equinos

A normal and efficient placenta that fulfills its functions is an essential prerequisite in order to have a term pregnancy, allowing fetal development and maturation resulting in the birth of a healthy, well developed foal. Therefore, several evaluations that provide information on maternal characteristics, placental efficiency and pregnancy monitoring are of extreme importance for equine breeding industry. A relationship between macro and microscopic placental characteristics and foals’ viability at birth has been detected. Thus, the knowledge of the changes of structure and placental function that are influenced by size, age and maternal parity which can reflect in development and growth of the fetus are of major importance for a better selection and management of broodmares and/or recipients that will carry a foal to term.