Uterine remodelling during pregnancy andpseudopregnancy in the brushtail possum (Trichosurusvulpecula; Phalangeridae)
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Melanie K. Laird [1] ; Hanon McShea [2] ; Bronwyn M. McAllan [1] ; Christopher R. Murphy [1] ; Michael B. Thompson [1]
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[1] University of Sydney
University of Sydney
Australia
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[2] Harvard University
Harvard University
City of Cambridge, Estados Unidos
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- Localización: Journal of Anatomy, ISSN 0021-8782, Vol. 231, Nº. 1, 2017, págs. 84-94
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
The formation of a placenta is critical for successful mammalian pregnancy and requires remodelling of theuterine epithelium. In eutherian mammals, remodelling involves specific morphological changes that oftencorrelate with the mode of embryonic attachment. Given the differences between marsupial and eutherianplacentae, formation of a marsupial placenta may involve patterns of uterine remodelling that are differentfrom those in eutherians. Here we present a detailed morphological study of the uterus of the brushtailpossum (Trichosurus vulpecula; Phalangeridae) throughout pregnancy, using both scanning and transmissionelectron microscopy, to identify whether uterine changes in marsupials correlate with mode of embryonicattachment as they do in eutherian mammals. The uterine remodelling of T. vulpecula is similar to that ofeutherian mammals with the same mode of embryonic attachment (non-invasive, epitheliochorial placentation).The morphological similarities include development of large apical projections, and a decrease in the diffusiondistance for haemotrophes around the period of embryonic attachment. Importantly, remodelling of the uterusin T. vulpecula during pregnancy differs from that of a marsupial species with non-invasive attachment(Macropus eugenii; Macropodidae) but is similar to that of a marsupial with invasive attachment (Monodelphisdomestica; Didelphidae). We conclude that modes of embryonic attachment may not be typified by a particularsuite of uterine changes in marsupials, as is the case for eutherian mammals, and that uterine remodelling mayinstead reflect phylogenetic relationships between marsupial lineages
