Does Placental Efficiency and Vascularization Affect Puppy Health? A Study in Boxer and Dobermann Dogs.

Simple Summary: Life inside the uterus is possible only thanks to the placenta, an essential structure that undergoes modifications to support the growth and development of the fetus. For this reason, the placenta is also described providing as a "diary of intrauterine life" and is a potential source of information regarding events that occur during gestation. Few studies, however, have considered the evaluation of this organ in the management of canine neonates. In the present study, the efficiency of the placenta was evaluated in 69 live puppies delivered by 15 large-breed bitches. The data reported in the present study show that in a subgroup of puppies, despite a normal placental weight and structure, reduced placental efficiency was identified. Although the findings should be confirmed in a larger population, the significantly increased risk of death in low-efficiency placental puppies reported in this study suggest the usefulness of this parameter in the evaluation of the puppy in the first 7 days after delivery. Background: The anatomical and functional characteristics of the placenta influence the adaptive ability of the fetus to the extrauterine environment. Placental efficiency, measured as the gram of neonate produced by each gram of placenta, summarizes these characteristics. In the present study, placental efficiency and its impact on the 7-day postpartum life of the puppies were studied in canine large breeds. Methods: Placental efficiency (PE) was computed using chorioallantois weight (WPE) and surface (SPE) efficiency for puppies born from natural delivery or elective cesarean section. Capillary density was also histologically determined. Neonate viability was estimated by the APGAR score and the daily weight gain (DWG) was recorded on day 7 after delivery. Results: from 15 large-breed bitches, 69 live puppies were born by natural delivery (24 puppies) and elective cesarean section (45 puppies). Cluster analysis detected a group of neonates for which reduced placental efficiency (8 for the WPE, 9 for the SPE) was identified, despite a placental weight and surface within the mean and no difference in capillary density. In this group, the DWG was lower and the mortality within 7 days was higher. Conclusions: the results suggest that placental efficiency could be an additional tool for the evaluation of a puppy in the first 7 days after delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]