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The present study aimed to evaluate the acute phase proteins (serum amyloid A, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, and C-reactive protein) profile in canine and feline fetal fluids during the second half of gestation. Seventeen pregnant domestic short-hair queens and 19 pregnant mixed-breed bitches were enrolled. Animals were divided into three groups according to their gestational age (30–39, 40–49, and 50–60 days). After ovariohysterectomy and sample collection, the concentration of the mentioned APPs was measured by the ELISA method. There was an increasing trend in the concentration of APPs in canine fetal fluids alongside increasing pregnancy age, but these changes were not statistically significant. Canine amniotic SAA concentration was significantly higher than allantoic. The highest concentration of SAA and CRP in the feline fetal fluids was observed at days 40–49, and the maximum concentration of AGP was observed at days 50–60. For the first time, the current study investigated the APPs profile in canine and feline fetal fluids during pregnancy. The maximum concentration of APPs was observed at the end of canine pregnancy and at days 40–49 of feline pregnancy.

Background and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the volume, the concentration of steroid hormones, and biochemical composition of the foetal fluids at different gestational ages in dogs and cats. Methods: Following the ovariohysterectomy, the allantoic and amniotic fluid samples were collected from pregnant bitches and queens and were assigned to different groups according to their gestational age. Results: The canine and feline allantoic fluid volume increased during pregnancy, reached its maximum values on days 40–49 and then decreased. The canine and feline amniotic fluid volume increased steadily by the last days of pregnancy. In spite of significant changes of sex hormones in the foetal fluids, their concentration and ratios were not significantly different between male and female fetuses. The canine amniotic cortisol concentration increased until days 40–49 and decreased significantly afterwards. The maximum cortisol concentrations in the feline allantoic and amniotic fluids were observed on days 50–60 and 40–49, respectively. During the canine pregnancy, the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, chloride, sodium, triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and the activities of aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the amniotic fluid were higher than the allantoic fluid. The magnesium, potassium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, creatine and lipase were higher in the allantoic fluid. In the feline allantoic fluid, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, creatinine, albumin and glucose concentrations and the activities of creatine kinase (CK), GGT, LDH and lipase were higher. The ALP, AST activities, sodium and calcium concentrations were higher in the amniotic fluid (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Volume of foetal fluids was determined in dogs and cats. Concentration of sex hormones did not different between male and female fetuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chlamydophila abortus, the aetiological agent of enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE), replicates in trophoblast cells leading to their destruction and dissemination of the bacterium to foetal organs. To further understand the pathogenesis of EAE, amniotic and allantoic fluids were collected from experimentally infected pregnant ewes at 30 (7 samples from each fluid), 35 (8 samples from each fluid), 40 (10 samples from each fluid) and 43 (6 amniotic fluids and 7 allantoic fluids) days post-infection to determine pathogen numbers and other markers of infection. Whilst experimentally infected ewes had characteristic placental lesions, only two amniotic and seven allantoic fluid samples were positive for C. abortus by real-time PCR. In contrast, all amniotic and allantoic fluids were positive for immunoglobulin. Immunoglobulins were generally detected earlier in allantoic fluid than in amniotic fluid and the numbers of samples containing immunoglobulins increased as infection progressed. IgG in amniotic and allantoic fluids was shown to be specific for C. abortus, and reacted with the major outer membrane proteins, polymorphic outer membrane protein and macrophage infectivity potentiator protein. A comparison of two-dimensional immunoblots using purified IgG from the allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid, ewe serum and foetal serum of a C. abortus infected animal at 40 days post infection indicated a pattern of reactivity intermediate between that of the ewe serum and the foetal serum. Results suggest that a maternal source of immunoglobulin is predominant at 30 days post-infection but that foetal derived antibodies may be contributed at a later stage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, biological samples (slaughterhouse material) were collected from 30 sheep and 36 goats and classified according to gestational stage into either early or late gestation. Samples consisted of allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid, fetal liver, fetal kidney, fetal thyroid gland, maternal plasma and liver to determine selenium (Se) concentrations throughout gestation. The Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid, fetal liver and kidney increased significantly (p <0.01) during late gestation. Concurrently, the Se concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal plasma and liver decreased significantly (p <0.01) over time. Significant (p <0.01) positive relationships were recorded between the age of the fetus and Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid (r =0.57–0.75), fetal liver (r =0.43–0.59) and kidney (r =0.80–0.81) in both sheep and goats. A significant (p <0.05) positive relationships were also recorded between the Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid and fetal liver (r =0.35–0.37), the maternal plasma and liver Se concentrations (r =0.37–0.57) between sheep and goats. A significant (p <0.05) negative correlation was recorded between the Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid with maternal plasma of sheep (r =−0.41) as well as between the fetal liver and maternal liver Se (r =−0.22 to 0.50) and a negative correlation (r =−0.42 to 0.43) (p <0.01) between Se concentrations in the fetal liver and amniotic fluid in both sheep and goats, respectively. Se concentration in the fetal liver was significantly (p <0.01) higher than that of the kidney and thyroid. In the thyroid gland no morphological differences were noted. Strong fetal–maternal relationships in Se concentration were evident throughout the gestational period and dams seem to sacrifice Se levels in order to maintain that in the fetus. Se concentrations in the amniotic and allantoic fluids could be used as a possible indicator of the Se status of the fetus throughout gestation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The amniotic and allantoic fluid compartments in the mare serve essential roles throughout pregnancy and parturition. Although the global metabolomic profile of amniotic fluid in women has been extensively characterized, current data for equine fetal fluids are limited. Therefore, the goal of this study was to characterize the global metabolomic profile of equine allantoic and amniotic fluid through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Fetal fluids were collected between 270 and 295 days of gestation from 12 pregnancies through ultrasound-guided transabdominal puncture. A total of 24 samples (n = 10 allantoic fluid; n = 9 amniotic fluid; n = 5 admixed fluid) were analyzed by one-dimensional proton (1H) and two-dimensional (1H-13 C) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Metabolites were integrated and compared between fluid types using a Kruskal–Wallis test at P <.05 significance. A total of 28 distinct metabolites were found in allantoic and admixed fluid, whereas 23 metabolites were identified in amniotic fluid. Allantoic fluid contained significant elevations (P <.05) in the metabolites betaine, creatine, creatinine, citrate, histidine, nitrophenol, tryptophan, π-methylhistidine, and unknown metabolite #1 compared with amniotic fluid, whereas amniotic fluid contained statistically increased concentrations of the metabolite lactate compared with allantoic fluid (P =.003). • We describe the global metabolomic profile of equine allantoic and amniotic fluid. • Twenty-eight distinct metabolites were found in allantoic and admixed fluid. • Twenty-three distinct metabolites were found in amniotic fluid. • These profiles may serve for future studies of gestational abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amniotic and allantoic fluid compartments in the mare serve essential roles throughout pregnancy and parturition. Although the global metabolomic profile of amniotic fluid in women has been extensively characterized, current data for equine fetal fluids are limited. Therefore, the goal of this study was to characterize the global metabolomic profile of equine allantoic and amniotic fluid through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Fetal fluids were collected between 270 and 295 days of gestation from 12 pregnancies through ultrasound-guided transabdominal puncture. A total of 24 samples (n = 10 allantoic fluid; n = 9 amniotic fluid; n = 5 admixed fluid) were analyzed by one-dimensional proton ( 1 H) and two-dimensional ( 1 H- 13  C) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Metabolites were integrated and compared between fluid types using a Kruskal-Wallis test at P < .05 significance. A total of 28 distinct metabolites were found in allantoic and admixed fluid, whereas 23 metabolites were identified in amniotic fluid. Allantoic fluid contained significant elevations (P < .05) in the metabolites betaine, creatine, creatinine, citrate, histidine, nitrophenol, tryptophan, π-methylhistidine, and unknown metabolite #1 compared with amniotic fluid, whereas amniotic fluid contained statistically increased concentrations of the metabolite lactate compared with allantoic fluid (P = .003)., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The embryonated egg is a complex structure comprised of an embryo and its supporting membranes (chorioallantoic, amniotic, and yolk). The developing embryo and its membranes provide a diversity of cell types that allow for the successful replication of a wide variety of different viruses. Within the family Coronaviridae the embryonated egg has been used as a host system primarily for two avian coronaviruses within the genus Gammacoronavirus, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and turkey coronavirus (TCoV). IBV replicates well in the embryonated chicken egg, regardless of inoculation route; however, the allantoic route is favored as the virus replicates well in epithelium lining the chorioallantoic membrane, with high virus titers found in these membranes and associated allantoic fluids. TCoV replicates only in epithelium lining the embryo intestines and bursa of Fabricius; thus, amniotic inoculation is required for isolation and propagation of this virus. Embryonated eggs also provide a potential host system for detection, propagation, and characterization of other, novel coronaviruses.