Browsing by Author "Isbilir, Fatma"

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Comprehensive Evaluation of Changes in Placentomes in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy in Cross-Bred Hamdani Sheep
(Wiley, 2025) Kandil, Banu; Turgut, Ali Osman; Koca, Davut; Isbilir, Fatma; Atli, Muhammed Zahid; Guzel, Baris Can
Background: A proper placentation is required for establishment and continuity of pregnancy. In sheep, placentomes are unique structures that enable nutrition and gas exchange between the mother and the foetus. Although placentomes are dynamic formations, there is limited knowledge of changes in placentomes during pregnancy. Objective: This study aimed to identify changes in sheep placentomes in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy using both macroscopic and microscopic methods. Methods: This study investigated 14 healthy cross-breed Hamdani sheep placentomes, comprising seven second and seven third trimesters of pregnancy. The histomorphometric analysis included measurements of capillary number and area in cotyledonary and caruncular regions, while morphometric assessments encompassed placentome dimensions such as number, length, width, and depth. Results: Placentomes were oval and circular in shape in the second and third trimesters. In the second trimester, they were observed as concave structures with thick edges, whereas in the third trimester, they were determined as thin-edged structures with a slight depression in the centre. In the third trimester, foetal and maternal tissues became more intertwined with increased branching of foetal villi and maternal crypts. Placental hematomas and erythrocytes in the cytoplasm of trophoblast cells were more prominent in the third trimester. Statistical analysis revealed no difference in placentome number between the second and third trimesters. However, the dimensions (length, width, and depth) of placentomes were greater in the third trimester compared to the second trimester (p < 0.001). Additionally, while there was no difference in the number of cotyledonary versus caruncular capillaries in the second trimester, cotyledonary capillaries outnumbered caruncular capillaries in the third trimester (p < 0.001). Furthermore, both cotyledonary and caruncular capillary areas increased in the third trimester compared to the second trimester, with the caruncular capillary area being consistently higher than the cotyledonary capillary area in both trimesters (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study underscores the substantial structural and physiological transformations of placentomes in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in sheep. These adaptations facilitate efficient flow exchange between the foetus and mother, highlighting the dynamic nature of placental development during late gestation.
Evaluation of Placentome Morphology in the Last Two Periods of Pregnancy in Hair Goats (Capra Aegagrus Hircus)
(Wiley, 2024) Isbilir, Fatma; Kandil, Banu; Isbilir, Ihsan; Koca, Davut; Guzel, Baris Can
This study was carried out on pregnant uteruses obtained from healthy Hair goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). A total of thirteen pregnant uteruses, six second and seven third trimesters, were used. Morphometrically, placentome numbers, lengths, widths and depths were measured. Randomly selected placentomes from the second and third trimesters were stained with the triple staining method. Caruncular and cotyledonary areas, capillary numbers and areas were measured using Qupath v0.5.0 software. The Minitab (version 21.4.1) was used for statistical analysis. While no statistical difference was observed in the number of placentomes between trimesters (p > 0.05), placentome length, width and depth were higher in the third trimester compared to the second trimester (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in the number of caruncular and cotyledonary capillaries in the second trimester. In the second trimester, the caruncular capillary area was higher than the cotyledonary capillary area (p < 0.05). Both caruncular and cotyledonary capillary area parameters were higher in the third trimester than in the second trimester (p < 0.001). In the third trimester, the caruncular capillary area was higher than the cotyledonary capillary area (p < 0.001). The number of caruncular capillaries and cotyledonary capillaries was statistically significantly higher in the third trimester compared to the second trimester. In addition, the number of cotyledonary capillaries was higher than that of caruncular capillaries in the third trimester (p < 0.001). A positive and significant correlation was found between the day of pregnancy and the number of placentomes in the second trimester (p < 0.05). No correlation was observed between the day of pregnancy and the number of placentomes in the third trimester. Vascular area density showed a faster development in foetal tissue than in maternal tissue. Placentome size and angiogenesis increased with the progression of pregnancy.
The Negative Effects of Subclinical Pregnancy Toxaemia on Fetal Skeletal Muscle Development and Evaluation of the Protective Effects of Dietary L-Carnitine Supplementation in Sheep
(Wiley, 2025) Turgut, Ali Osman; Kandil, Banu; Bilen, Ebru Karakaya; Koca, Davut; Unver, Ali; Isbilir, Fatma; Wehrend, Axel
This study evaluated the effects of subclinical pregnancy toxaemia (SPT) on fetal skeletal muscle development and assessed the potential protective role of L-carnitine supplementation during gestation. A total of 18 crossbred Hamdani ewes underwent oestrous synchronisation, natural mating and pregnancy confirmation via ultrasonography on day 45 post-mating. The ewes were managed according to NRC (2007) dietary guidelines until day 100 of gestation, after which they were assigned to three experimental groups: subclinical PT group (group 1; G1, n = 6), treatment group (subclinical PT + L-carnitine, group 2; G2, n = 6) and control group (group 3; G3, n = 6). Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta HBA) concentrations were measured on day 100 and 138 of the gestation. Then, all ewes were slaughtered for fetal muscle sampling from the Musculus Longissimus Dorsi (MLD) and Vastus Lateralis (VL). Results indicated a significant reduction in muscle fibre number and fibre diameter in both MLD and VL in the SPT group (G1) compared to the control (G3) (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between G1 and G2 or between G2 and G3 for these parameters (p > 0.05). On the other hand, large effect sizes for group and pairwise comparisons imply that SPT may negatively affect prenatal muscle development and L-carnitine supports muscle development during the prepartum period. These findings highlight the negative effects of SPT and protective effects of L-carnitine supplementation on fetal skeletal muscle development in ewes with SPT. The observed deficits may negatively impact postnatal growth, survival rates and meat quality. Further investigations are warranted to optimise maternal nutrition strategies and evaluate therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of SPT on fetal muscle development in ruminants. Furthermore, L-carnitine supplementation may be a useful in compensating for the negative effects of SPT.