Morphology and Immunoexpression of Selenoproteins in Term Placenta of Alpaca (<i>Vicugna pacos</i>) from the Peruvian Andes
South American camelids inhabit high-altitude environments characterized by hypoxia, influencing embryonic, fetal, and placental development. This study examined the term placenta morphology of alpacas (<i>Vicugna pacos</i>, N = 12) and the immunoexpression of antioxidant selenoproteins...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/1/64 |
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| Summary: | South American camelids inhabit high-altitude environments characterized by hypoxia, influencing embryonic, fetal, and placental development. This study examined the term placenta morphology of alpacas (<i>Vicugna pacos</i>, N = 12) and the immunoexpression of antioxidant selenoproteins (SP). We hypothesize that the placenta of alpacas, adapted to high altitudes, has characteristics with other species also adapted to altitude. Placentas were paraffin-embedded, sectioned (3–5 µm), stained with hematoxylin–eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome, and picrosirius red, and analyzed via light and polarized light microscopy. The chorion showed simple cuboidal epithelium with binucleated cells, a subepithelial mesenchyme rich in blood capillaries (area: 124.90 ± 9.82 µm<sup>2</sup>), and type III collagen fibers. The chorionic villi measured 2740.22 ± 132.75 µm. The allantois contained a simple columnar epithelium and mesenchyme with type I collagen fibers. Immunohistochemistry localized SP-N, SP-P, Dio-3, and GPx-3 in the blood capillaries and mesenchymal tissue of the chorion but not in the allantois. These findings were compared to human and sheep placentas from different altitudes due to a lack of camelid data at low levels. The morphological features resembled adaptations to hypoxia observed in other species. This preliminary study suggests a potential role for selenoproteins in hypoxia adaptation, providing a basis for future functional studies. |
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| ISSN: | 2079-7737 |