Number Of Cotyledons Research Articles

Morphological and morphometric evaluation of placenta in hypothyroid mothers

Introduction: Pregnancy has a significant impact on thyroid gland and its function. Hypothyroidism, usually evident as subclinical hypothyroidism, occurs in approximately 2.5% of otherwise normal pregnancies, and is associated with various morphological, histological, and histochemical changes in the placenta. It is, therefore, obvious that hypothyroidism is associated with gross placental abnormalities that compromise placental function and hence fetal growth. Material and Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted over a period of 1 year from August 2013 to July 2014 in a tertiary care teaching hospital in the state capital of Uttar Pradesh of India. Two groups were formed. Group A (euthyroid) included placenta of uncomplicated pregnancy with full-term delivery to serve as controls for comparison. Group B (hypothyroid) included placenta of patients with hypothyroidism (thyroid stimulating hormone level: ≥3.0 IU/L) diagnosed either before or during pregnancy. Each placenta was observed for shape, diameter, and number of cotyledons. Two groups were compared for these variables. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15.0 statistical analysis software. The values were represented in number (%) and mean ± standard deviation. P value was calculated for each variable, and P value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 70 subjects were included. Group A comprised of 20 and Group B of 50 subjects. Circular shape of placenta was more common in group B and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.037). Mean diameter, cotyledon size, and mean thickness were higher in group B as compared to group A. Statistically, significant differences between the two groups were observed for mean diameter (<0.001), cotyledon size (<0.001), and thickness (<0.05) Conclusion: Placenta of hypothyroid mothers was usually circular in shape. It was found to be less heavy and thinner but larger in diameter with more cotyledons in comparison to normal.

Intravenous maternal -arginine administration to twin-bearing ewes during late pregnancy enhances placental growth and development.

This study aimed to investigate if intravenous maternal Arg administration to well-fed twin-bearing ewes, from 100 to 140 d of gestation or birth, could enhance placental development and placental nutrient transport. Ewes received intravenous infusions of saline (control) or 345 μmol Arg HCl/kg of BW 3 times daily from d 100 of pregnancy (P100) to d 140 of pregnancy (P140; cohort 1) or from P100 to birth (cohort 2). At P140, ewes in cohort 1 were euthanized and individual placentae per fetus were dissected and placentomes were classed per type (A to D) and size (light to heavy). Placentome number and individual weight were recorded. As an indicator of placental nutrient transport, blood plasma was collected from the uterine ovarian vein (UOV), uterine artery (UA), and umbilical vein and artery at the time of euthanasia and analyzed for metabolites and free AA concentrations. The ewes in cohort 2 were allowed to lamb and lambs were weighed at birth. The expelled placenta was dissected and number of cotyledons and weights of total cotyledons, remaining fetal membranes, and total placenta were recorded. At P140, Arg-infused ewes had a 63% ( = 0.03) greater number of unoccupied caruncles than control ewes. No differences were observed for placental weight at P140. At birth, lambs from Arg-infused ewes tended to have 11% ( = 0.09) greater placental weight and 34% ( = 0.03) greater total cotyledon weight compared with control lambs. Arginine-infused ewes (Arg-infused) had increased concentrations of Arg ( = 0.0001) and ornithine (Orn; = 0.004) but decreased concentrations of Met ( = 0.01) and His ( = 0.02 and = 0.09, respectively) compared with control ewes in plasma UOV and UA. Fetuses from Arg-infused ewes had increased concentrations of Orn ( = 0.005) and decreased concentrations of His ( = 0.006), Met ( = 0.003), and Lys ( = 0.01) but no differences in Arg ( > 0.10) concentrations were found compared with control fetuses in umbilical artery and vein plasma. This study showed that maternal Arg administration of well-fed twin-bearing ewes during late pregnancy tended to improve placental growth and development.

The placenta is the culprit in programming chronic disease

s / Placenta 36 (2015) A1eA60 A2 IFPASA. FETAL MEMBRANES e A FOCUS FOR THE FUTURE OR A LEGACY FROM THE PAST? A.M. Carter. University of Southern Denmark, Denmark The fetal membranes of amniotes are allantois, amnion, chorion and yolk sac. The manner of their development and contribution to placentation varies greatly acrossmammals. This is true also of the cavities they enclose, which are the allantoic sac, amniotic sac and exocoelom. In human development, there is an allantoic stalk, but no allantoic sac; the yolk sac is a short-lived structure and the exocoelom is obliterated in the second trimester by expansion of the amnion. The mouse is commonly used as a model of human placentation. Here, too, there is no allantoic sac and the exocoelom does not persist to term. In contrast, the inverted vascular yolk sac supports the embryo until the chorioallantoic placenta is formed and it acts as an accessory placenta through term. It has a string of important functions yet frequently is discarded or ignored either through ignorance or because it has no obvious equivalent in human pregnancy. In ruminants, which are important to veterinary research and as models in fetal physiology, there is yet another pattern that includes transient yolk sac placentation and a persistent allantoic sac. Embryologists of the late 19C, like Hubrecht and Selenka, uncovered the role of fetal membranes in early development and placentation. They feature prominently in the mid-20C accounts of Amoroso and Mossman. This legacy seems largely to have slipped from the collective consciousness of 21C placentologists. Yet the mouse yolk sac may harbour clues to overall placental function and human yolk sac play a critical role in embryonic development. Medical as well as veterinary research might be well served by a closer focus on fetal membranes. KEY1. THE PLACENTA IS THE CULPRIT IN PROGRAMMING CHRONIC DISEASE K. Thornburg, S. Louey. Melinda Pierce and Kevin Kolahi Center for Developmental Health, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, USA For the first time in US history, a sustained decrease in life expectancy is predicted. The abrupt change in the upward trajectory in life expectancy is related to increases in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and uncontrolled hypertension, all of which have been increasing since the ‘90s. Children in the US are now the 3rd generation of people who have consumed mostly processed foods to satisfy their energy requirements. Processed foods are generally high in calories and low in nutrients. It is now well known that babies born at the extremes of birthweights are especially prone to developing chronic disease later in life. Because the placenta is the gatekeeper for nutrients entering the fetus and because the vascular bed of the placenta sets the loading conditions of the embryo/fetal heart, the placenta plays a central role in determining risk for later disease. The size and shape of the placenta interact with maternal phenotypic features to determine risk of coronary heart disease, heart failure and sudden death. Lung and colorectal cancers are predicted by placental size and shape. The number of placental cotyledons predicts blood pressure in children and umbilical cord length is associated with an elevated risk for rheumatic heart disease. Placental size, shape and efficiency in a population vary over time for unknown reasons. One can fairly speculate that population level dietary changes over time are the drivers of placentation; animal data are sparse but support the idea. Sex-specific features of placental function have been shown in humans and animals but the role of diet in altering functional changes is unknown. Understanding the interactions between maternal diet, stress, phenotype and sex-specific placental form and function should be a high priority for scientists and funding agencies. Healthy placentas make healthy babies. Healthy babies are the foundation of a healthy population KEY3. AGING AND THE PLACENTA Roger Smith. Mothers and Babies Research Centre, HMRI, Newcastle, NSW,

Supplementation with solutions of lipo-chitooligosacharide Nod Bj V (C18:1, MeFuc) and thuricin 17 regulates leaf arrangement, biomass, and root development of canola (Brassica napus [L.

Recent work has shown that plant-to-microbe signals can enhance the growth of a wide range of crops. Nevertheless, canola (Brassica napus L.), which forms neither arbuscular mycorrhizal nor nitrogen-fixing symbioses, has not been rigorously evaluated for its capacity to perceive and respond to microbe-to-plant signals. It was shown previously that the Bradyrhizobium japonicum lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO) and Bacillus thuringiensis bacteriocin thuricin 17 enhance the germination and growth of other crop species. To evaluate canola’s response, B. napus plants were grown in controlled environment chambers, in either peat pellets or large plant culture vessels. In the peat pellet system, plants that were irrigated with 10−6 M LCO, and grown at 30 °C, produced one more leaf than water- or signal-treated plants that were grown at 25/20 °C. The numbers of cotyledons (seed leaves) produced by thuricin 17-treated plants was greater than LCO treated plants and the control treatment. Among the plants grown in vessels, those grown with 0.2 M NaCl and 10−9 M thuricin 17 were taller than either treated or untreated plants that were grown with 10−5 M NaCl. Under 10/4 °C and 4 × 10−5 M NaCl conditions, only seeds treated with thuricin 17 produced roots. Among the plants grown in vessels at 30/30 °C, those treated with 10−11 M thuricin 17 resulted in approximately one more leaf per plant than nM. Root lengths were shortened with 10−5 M NaCl and 10−9 M thuricin 17, compared to lower salinities. At 30/30 °C, plants grown with 10−5 M NaCl and 10−9 M thuricin 17 were heavier than plants grown in nonsaline media without thuricin 17. Where LCO supplementation may stimulate a competitive form, thuricin 17 supplementation triggers a reduction in the plant’s surface area, which may reduce the plant’s vulnerability to prohibitive salinity levels.

Heat stress, divergent nutrition level, and late pregnancy in hair sheep: effects upon cotyledon development and litter weight at birth.

The effect of two divergent nutritional levels during late pregnancy upon some physiological variables and the number (NC) and diameter (DC) of placental cotyledons along with litter weight at birth (LWB) on heat-stressed (42-45°C) hair ewes was evaluated. Multiparous Katahdin x Pelibuey ewes (n = 24) at the onset of the 3/3 of pregnancy were randomly assigned to two treatments (n = 12): (1) non-nutritionally restricted (NNR) ewes, with free access to wheat straw plus 500g/day of concentrate, and (2) nutritionally restricted (NR) ewes, receiving only wheat straw ad libitum. On days 100, 115, 130, and 145 of gestation, the body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), rectal temperature (RT), respiration rate (RR) were registered in the afternoon (15:00) while the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated. At lambing, NC, DC, and LWB were also registered. Analyses considered a completely random design (CRD)-ANOVA with repeated measures across time, considering to litter size (LS) as covariable to reduce any possible influence of LS upon the response variables along experimental diets. BW and BCS were higher in NNR ewes at days 115, 130, and 145. Despite RT similarities (P < 0.05) between treatments, RR was greater (P < 0.01) in the NNR ewes, particularly towards the end of the experimental period. The observed THI averages confirmed severe heat stress conditions on ewes all day round across the experimental period, yet, NC, DC, and LWB favored (P < 0.05) to the NNR ewes. Despite that NNR ewes faced a significant heat stress based on the observed THI values, they consumed a diet with an increased energy-protein density, suggesting that the increased RR in the NNR group was exerted as a compensatory thermoregulation mechanism. Nutritional supplementation in hair ewes besides to an increase the energy body reserves (BW and BCS) also improved both the number and size of cotyledons, while generated an increased litter weight at birth.

Effect of light conditions on anatomical and biochemical aspects of somatic and zygotic embryos of hybrid larch (Larix × marschlinsii).

In conifers, mature somatic embryos and zygotic embryos appear to resemble one another physiologically and morphologically. However, phenotypes of cloned conifer embryos can be strongly influenced by a number of invitro factors and in some instances clonal variation can exceed that found in nature. This study examines whether zygotic embryos that develop within light-opaque cones differ from somatic embryos developing in dark/light conditions invitro. Embryogenesis in larch is well understood both in situ and invitro and thus provides a suitable system for addressing this question. Features of somatic and zygotic embryos of hybrid larch, Larix × marschlinsii, were quantified, including cotyledon numbers, protein concentration and phenol chemistry. Somatic embryos were placed either in light or darkness for the entire maturation period. Embryos at different developmental stages were embedded and sectioned for histological analysis. Light, and to a lesser degree abscisic acid (ABA), influenced accumulation of protein and phenolic compounds in somatic and zygotic embryos. Dark-grown mature somatic embryos had more protein (91·77 ± 11·26 µg protein mg(-1) f.wt) than either dark-grown zygotic embryos (62·40 ± 5·58) or light-grown somatic embryos (58·15 ± 10·02). Zygotic embryos never accumulated phenolic compounds at any stage, whereas somatic embryos stored phenolic compounds in the embryonal root caps and suspensors. Light induced the production of quercetrin (261·13 ± 9·2 µg g(-1) d.wt) in somatic embryos. Mature zygotic embryos that were removed from seeds and placed on medium in light rapidly accumulated phenolics in the embryonal root cap and hypocotyl. Delaying germination with ABA delayed phenolic compound accumulation, restricting it to the embryonal root cap. In larch embryos, light has a negative effect on protein accumulation, but a positive effect on phenol accumulation. Light did not affect morphogenesis, e.g. cotyledon number. Somatic embryos produced different amounts of phenolics, such as quercetrin, depending on light conditions. The greatest difference was seen in the embryonal root cap in all embryo types and conditions.

Characterization of Citrus Rootstocks Under Sriganganagar Conditions of Zone 1B

Investigation was carried out to evaluate and characterize the available citrus rootstocks and to find out the genetic variability and correlation in between the qualitative/quantitative traits. Fully grown, eleven Citrus types i.e. C. maderaspatana, C. jambhiri var. Mitthi, C. Pectinifera, C. Reshni T, Citrumelo (P. trifoliata x C. sinensis), Carrizo Citrange (P. trifoliate x C. paradisi), C. limonia, C. Karna, C. aurantium, C. Jambhiri var. Jatti-katti and C. limon var. Bhadri Lemon were selected for the study. These exhibited variation for different physico-chemical fruit and seed attributes. Variation in seed characters were also recorded for seed shape, number and colour of cotyledons. Variation were noted for quantitative traits like fruit length (24–210 mm) fruit weight (19–1883 g), TSS (7–10); seed length (7–16 mm), hundred seed weight (16–31 g) and seed number per fruit (2–55). In character association analysis, positive and significant correlation were recorded for fruit weight with fruit size, seed weight with seed size and seed weight with seed germination. Thus, the study revealed that significant amount of genetic variability exists among the available rootstocks. Genetic variability and inter relationship of characters may lead to effective selection of rootstock for commercial multiplication and further improvement programme of citrus plants.

Effect of seed mass and number of cotyledons on seed germination after heat treatment in Pinus sylvestris L. var. iberica Svob.

Aim of study: We investigated the combined effect of seed mass and number of cotyledons on the seed germination of Pinus sylvestris var. iberica (Iberian Scots pine) in simulated fire conditions.Material and Methods: We used 3,600 fresh seeds extracted from 158 cones obtained from 10 pine trees located at the Biological Station of the Complutense University (Guadarrama mountains, Madrid region). All the seeds were individually weighed and assigned to one of the two following seed mass classes: class I (1.6-12.5 mg) and class II (12.6-145.0 mg). Germination capacity (GC) and mean germination time (MGT) were studied in combined experiments of four different temperatures (100°, 125°, 150° and 175°C) and two exposure times (1 and 5 minutes) together with a control (no treatment). Four replicates of 50 seeds each were used for each treatment and hydrated daily for 14 days to germinate under constant illumination. The number of cotyledons was counted in seedlings.Main results: Germination was depressed at above 125°C for 5 min. GC and MGT were negatively related, and were influenced by temperature and exposure time. Seed mass was found to have a significant effect on GC at some moderate heat treatment but not on MGT. The number of cotyledons was positively correlated to seed mass but there was not found correlated with germination after seed heat treatments.Research highlights: In the case of the Iberian Scots pine, higher seed mass mitigate the negative effects of temperature on seed germination after moderate heat treatment simulating fire.Keywords: Fire disturbance; germination; Mediterranean mountains; Pinus sylvestris L. var. Iberica; temperature.

MONOPTEROS directly activates the auxin-inducible promoter of the Dof5.8 transcription factor gene in Arabidopsis thaliana leaf provascular cells.

MONOPTEROS (MP) is an auxin-responsive transcription factor that is required for primary root formation and vascular development, whereas Dof5.8 is a Dof-class transcription factor whose gene is expressed in embryos as well as the pre- and procambial cells in the leaf primordium in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, it is shown that MP directly activates the Dof5.8 promoter. Although no apparent phenotype of the single dof5.8 mutants was found, phenotypic analysis with the mp dof5.8 double mutants revealed that mutations within Dof5.8 enhanced the phenotype of a weak allele of mp, with an increase in the penetrance of the 'rootless' phenotype and a reduction in the number of cotyledons. Furthermore, interestingly, although mp mutants showed reduced vascular pattern complexity in cotyledons, the mp dof5.8 double mutants displayed both more simplex and more complex vascular patterns in individual cotyledons. These results imply that the product of Dof5.8 whose expression is regulated by MP at least in part might be involved in multiple processes controlled by MP.

Relationship between placental traits and birth related factors in Damascus goats

The relationship between placental traits and litter related factors of Damascus goats were investigated. In total, 39 Damascus goats of same age were used in the study. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical comparison and a Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the effect of litter size and sex on cotyledon number. Pearson correlation co-efficient was used to determine the relationships between variables. Cotyledon efficiency (CE), cotyledon number (CN), number of small, medium and large cotyledons, cotyledon density (CD), individual cotyledon surface area and litter weight have been determined significant for litter size (p<0.05). A positive correlation was revealed between placental weight (PW) individual cotyledon weight (ICW) (r=0.88, P<0.05), cotyledon weight (CW) (r=0.64, P<0.05), large cotyledons number (LCN) (r=0.54, P<0.05), also between birth weight (BW) and PW (r=0.47, P<0.05) and litter weight (LW) (r=0.38, P<0.01). CW was negatively correlated with CD (r=−0.55, P<0.05) and placental efficiency (PE) (r=−0.82, P<0.05). PW and PE were found highest in twin births. Single kids at an average of 4704±147g were born heavier than twin kids (4315±333g). While CW did not differ between single and twin births ICW was much higher (double) for twins. Sex had no effect on CN (P>0.05); however litter size was found significant according to Poisson regression results. The most important finding of this study was the significant variance in cotyledon numbers between single and twin births. There was a notable increase of small and medium cotyledon numbers and a significant decrease of large cotyledons for single births while the exact opposite occurred for twin births. This significant correlation initiated to a new parameter for measuring the efficiency of placental exchange.

Comparative Study of Placenta in Hypertensive Pregnancies in the Population of Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra India

This study was carried out to compare the placentae of normal and hypertensive pregnancies in terms of weight, number of cotyledons, surface area, volume and presence of infarcted areas and attachment of umbilical cord. Then an attempt was made to correlate the hypertensive disease with foetal outcome. 230 Fresh placentae were collected immediately after delivery of the newborn, washed in running tap water, dried with blotting paper and then weighed. Surface area and volume was also calculated. The weight of the newborn was noted in both the groups. The results of this study indicate significant reduction in weight, surface area and volume of the hypertensive placentae as compared to the normal placentae. We conclude that placenta of hypertensive mothers have associated morphological changes.

Change of Cotyledon Number in Red Leaf Beet (Beta vulgarisL. var. ciclaL) and Altered Vascular Bundles of Tricotyledonous Seedling

Seedlings of monocotyledon, tricotyledons and tetracotyledons were compared to those of dicotyledonous wild type of red leaf beet (Beta vulgaris L. var cicla L). These seedlings were progenies of the mother plant that was transformed using floral dip method, but detected no ectopic expression of the target gene. Paraffin sections of the shoot tip showed that the shoot apical meristem (SAM) in the tricotyledonous seedlings changed to trilateral compared to long oval meristem in the wild type; meanwhile, three leaf primordia appeared alternately with cotyledonous primordia in tricotyledonous seedlings compared to two leaf primordia of the wild type, which suggests the direct role of cotyledons in determining where from the primordia of the first leaves arise. Paraffin sections and cleared tissues of hypocotyls and roots showed two lines of protoxylem poles in hypocotyl of wild type compared to three in tricotyledonous seedling. These observations suggested the correlated patterns of vascular and cotyledon number.

The possibility of spreading Leptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria biglobosa by rapeseed seed

Stem canker (blackleg) is economically the most important disease of oilseed rape world­wide. This disease is caused by two species of pathogenic fungi of the genus Leptosphaeria: Leptosphaeria maculans (Desm.) ces. and de Not anamorf Phoma lingam (Tode. Fr.) Desmas, that causes stem canker and blackleg root and Leptospaeria biglobosa Shoem and Brun, that causes symptoms such as cancers of the upper part of the stem usually causing less damage, and can cause serious damage in countries with higher summer temperatures. Pathogenic fungi from one area to another are transmitted by ascospores and contaminated (infected) seed. In order to prove the modes of transmission of parasites, the test is done transmitting the parasite by seeds. Disinfected seeds of oilseed rape cultivars Quinta were submerged in the suspension of pycnospores. Submerged seeds were kept at 20 º C ± 1 º C and 12 h photoperiod for 48 h. After planting in plastic containers seeds were kept at 25 º C ± 1 º C and 12h photoperiod. In this experiment the following isolates were used: C-5, L-5, K-7, LJ-3, S-11, St-1, GS-3 and Lm as a reference isolate (L. maculans) fol­lowed by K-113, K-115 and Lb as a reference isolate (L. biglobosa). The symptoms were as­sessed after 7 and 14 days after emergence. Ratings were made with + which meant visible symptoms on cotyledons or hypocotyl and - what referred to healthy plants. After 7 days, the isolates (Lm, C-5, L-5, K-7, LJ-3, S-11, St-1, GS-3) were caused disease symptoms on plants of oilseed rape. This pathogenicity is reflected in the number of seedlings, leaf spots and stalk lodging cotyledons. At izolate Lb (reference isolate L. biglobosa) K-113 and K-115 after 7 and 14 days was not observed pathogenicity on rapeseed plants. The control variety seeds were soaked in distilled water. The trial was set in 6 reps, and pathogenicity of fungal isolates in relation to the control was tested using Dunette's test. After 14 days re-isolation of pathogen was done.

Dietary selenium and nutritional plane alter specific aspects of maternal endocrine status during pregnancy and lactation

Objectives were to examine effects of selenium (Se) supply and maternal nutritional plane during gestation on placental size at term and maternal endocrine profiles throughout gestation and early lactation. Ewe lambs (n = 84) were allocated to treatments that included Se supply of adequate Se (ASe; 11.5 μg/kg BW) or high Se (HSe; 77 μg/kg BW) initiated at breeding and nutritional plane of 60% (RES), 100% (CON), or 140% (EXC) of requirements beginning on day 40 of gestation. At parturition, lambs were removed from their dams, and ewes were transitioned to a common diet that met requirements of lactation. Blood samples were taken from a subset of ewes (n = 42) throughout gestation, during parturition, and throughout lactation to determine hormone concentrations. Cotyledon number was reduced (P = 0.03) in RES and EXC ewes compared with CON ewes. Placental delivery time tended (P = 0.08) to be shorter in HSe ewes than in ASe ewes, whereas placental delivery time was longer (P = 0.02) in RES ewes than in CON and EXC ewes. During gestation, maternal progesterone, estradiol-17β, and GH were increased (P < 0.05) in RES ewes and decreased (P < 0.05) in EXC ewes compared with CON ewes. In contrast, maternal cortisol, IGF-I, prolactin, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine were decreased in RES ewes and increased in EXC ewes compared with CON ewes during gestation. Selenium supply did not alter maternal hormone profiles during gestation. During parturition and lactation, maternal hormone concentrations were influenced by both Se and maternal nutritional plane. During the parturient process, HSe ewes tended to have greater (P = 0.06) concentrations of estradiol-17β than ASe ewes. Three hours after parturition a surge of GH was observed in ASe-RES ewes that was muted in HSe-RES ewes and not apparent in other ewes. Growth hormone area under the curve during the parturient process was increased (P < 0.05) in ASe-RES vs HSe-RES ewes. Ewes that were overfed during gestation had reduced (P < 0.05) estradiol-17β but greater IGF-I, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine (P < 0.05) compared with RES ewes. Even though ewes were transitioned to a common diet after parturition, endocrine status continued to be affected into lactation. Moreover, it appears that gestational diet may partially affect lactational performance through altered endocrine status.

Morphometry Examination of Placenta in Birth Weight of Full-Term Newborns in Puducherry, India

irth weight is an important determinant of child survival, healthy growth and development. Low birth weight is a well-established risk factor for adverse long term health, particularly cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The ability of the fetus to grow and thrive in utero is presumed to be a function of the placenta. The present study was aimed to assess the morphometry examination of placenta in normal and low birth weight babies in the Union territory of Puducherry. Morphometry examination includes Placenta weight, number of cotyledons, maternal and fetal surface area and site of umbilical cord insertion were measured in normal and low birth weigh babies. Result showed among 200 subjects, mean birth weight of normal and low birth babies were 2806 and 2058 g, respectively. The prevalence rate of low birth babies (less than 2500 g) was 22%. The placental morphometry study namely placental weight, number of cotyledons, maternal and fetal surface area and insertion of umbilical cord at centre were significantly (p<0.001) reduced in the low birth weight babies when compared with normal birth weight babies. Study revealed that morphometry analysis of placenta significantly influences the birth weight of new born. In conclusion, study recommends the early measurements of placenta by non-invasive techniques like ultrasonography will be helpful in early prediction of low birth weight fetus in utero itself and for better management to avoid such low birth weight.

Placental traits and their relation with birth weight in Meriz and Black goats

At a commercial farm of goat, Duhok province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, the relationship between placental traits and birth weight of kids together with some factors affecting these traits were investigated in this study. A total of 79 foetal placental delivered at normal kidding were collected from Black goat (n=33) and Meriz (n=46). The results revealed that neither breed of goat nor sex had a significant effect on all placental traits. A positive correlation between birth weight (BW) of kids and each of placental efficiency (PE) ( r =0.38; P ≤0.01), placental weight (PW) ( r = 0.01, P ≥0.05), cotyledon weight (CW) ( r = 0.08, P ≥0.05) was found, and a non significant negative correlations was noticed between BW and each of cotyledon number (CN) ( r = -0.05, P ≥0.05), and cotyledon density (CD) ( r = -0.12, P ≥0.05). PW is positively correlated with the CW ( r = 0.73, P ≤0.01) and CN ( r = 0.41, P ≤0.01) and negatively correlated with PE ( r = 0.80, P ≤0.01) and CD ( r = -0.46, P ≤0.01). Results showed a significant positive correlation between placental efficiency and each of birth weight of kids and cotyledon density.

Maternal cotyledons at birth predict blood pressure in childhood

IntroductionA small placental surface at birth has been shown to be associated with the development of hypertension in later life. In this study we extend this observation by looking at the relationship between the number of placental cotyledons and blood pressure in childhood. Because the number of cotyledons is correlated with the surface area, we hypothesized that fewer cotyledons would be associated with higher blood pressure. MethodsThe Alspac study is a longitudinal study of 13,971 children born in Bristol. Their placentas were stored in formalin. We photographed the placentas of a sample of the children and related the number of maternal cotyledons to their blood pressure levels at age 9 years. ResultsContrary to our hypothesis, a greater number of maternal cotyledons was associated with higher blood pressure. Among boys, a greater number of cotyledons was associated with higher systolic and diastolic pressure but not with higher pulse pressure. Diastolic pressure rose by 2.2 mmHg (95% CI 0.6 to 3.7, p = 0.007) for every 10 additional cotyledons. Among girls, a greater number of cotyledons was associated with higher systolic pressure and pulse pressure but not with higher diastolic pressure. Pulse pressure rose by 2.7 mmHg (1.1–4.3, p < 0.001) for every 10 additional cotyledons. These associations were little changed by adjustment for placental surface area. ConclusionOur study has shown that a large number of maternal cotyledons is associated with raised blood pressure in childhood. The associations differ in the two sexes.

Impact of spatial constraints during seed germination on the evolution of angiosperm cotyledons: A case study from tropical Hydatellaceae (Nymphaeales)

A bipolar embryo with cotyledons is a characteristic feature that appeared early in the evolution of seed plants. Cotyledon number is an important character in angiosperm classification. We explore the links between functional aspects of seed germination and the number and location of the cotyledons, using as a model the early-divergent angiosperm family Hydatellaceae, in which seedlings are superficially monocot-like. • Seedlings of two species of tropical Hydatellaceae were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. • Seedlings of Trithuria cowieana bear two free cotyledons. Each cotyledon possesses a green, filiform, vascularized blade that resembles subsequent leaves, and a basal, nonvascularized, haustorial outgrowth that remains in close contact with the endosperm. Seedlings of Trithuria konkanensis have two free cotyledonary haustoria inserted close to each other and a leaf blade probably belonging to one of the cotyledons. The cotyledonary node elongates between the haustoria and the leaf blade to form a mesocotyl. • To date, the absence or presence of a cotyledonary tube represents the only known qualitative morphological difference between the two major clades of Hydatellaceae. Cotyledons with a haustorium and leaf blade are unusual at the scale of seed plants and probably evolved due to homeosis. The mesocotyl of T. konkanensis resembles that of grasses and sedges. Seedling diversity in Hydatellaceae and other seed plants is linked with the principal physical and spatial constraint of their embryo structure, with the primary root and shoot apical meristems located at opposite poles, and haustorial cotyledon tips.

Relationship between placental traits and maternal intrinsic factors in sheep

The relationship between maternal intrinsic factors and placental traits was investigated on three Southern Mediterranean breed of sheep; Cukurova Assaf (CA), Cukurova (C) and Cukurova Meat Sheep (CMS). The effect of parity and birth type were also considered in the study as a potential influencing factor. Our hypothesis was to show that while differences in placental traits between breed, parity and birth type affected lamb condition and survivability, its correlation to maternal intrinsic behavioral factors may also be a strong indicator. The study found breed related differences of maternal behavioral factors and also showed significant correlation of these behavioral patterns to various placental traits. It confirmed earlier findings that parity played a major role in the refinement of these behavioral patterns. Significant differences in birth weight (P<0.05), placental weight (P<0.05), number of cotyledons (P<0.01) and cotyledon length (P<0.05) was seen between breeds. Cotyledon weight (P<0.05), width (P<0.01) and length (P<0.05) were found to differ by parity. Breed and parity interaction significantly influenced cotyledon quantity. While we detected breed specific differences in relation to maternal intrinsic factors we also noticed significant variance within breeds to these behavioral patterns when linked to placental traits. Further study is required on the correlation between placental traits and postnatal behavior on not just the ewes but also on their lambs. This could have a significant bearing on how producers manage and maximize lamb survivability.

ITS phylogeny of Middle Asian geophilic Umbelliferae-Apioideae genera with comments on their morphology and utility of psbA-trnH sequences

Generic delimitation and relationships within the taxonomically controversial group of geophilic Umbelliferae from Middle Asia are problematic. Geophilic plants in arid regions have a short period of development during spring and early summer and survive unfavorable seasons due to the presence of tuber-like underground storage organs. To investigate the circumscription of recently recognized Middle Asian geophilic genera and their relationships, we conducted phylogenetic analyses using DNA sequence data from rapidly evolving nuclear (nrITS) and chloroplast (psbA-trnH intergenic spacer) regions as well as multivariate analyses of the morphological and ITS data. Our results show that Galagania and Mogoltavia are monophyletic, whereas Bunium, Hyalolaena and Oedibasis are polyphyletic. Elaeosticta, one of the larger genera of geophilic Middle Asian umbellifers, is rendered paraphyletic by the inclusion of the enigmatic Hyalolaena melanorrhiza. The genus Scaligeria, in which most species of Elaeosticta were initially described, is not grouped with these genera and has other affinities. Our analyses also show that the morphological characters used for the delimitation of genera within this group of Umbelliferae (such as life form, cotyledon number, presence/absence of petiolules of basal leaflets, shape of mericarp ribs, width of mericarp commissure, number of secretory ducts in mericarp furrows) are rather homoplastic. The psbA-trnH sequences were not informative enough to reveal relationships among the genera studied, although some interesting features in the spacer evolution were revealed (maximum reduction in length among Umbelliferae, homoplasious directed substitutions to restore secondary structure).