Lecture 14 10/17/23

Question 1

Why is maternal immunity a combination of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory responses?

Answer 1

-pro: have more blood and cells available for developing a fetus
-anti: prevent immune system from killing fetus

Question 2

Why is it important for maternal recognition of pregnancy?

Answer 2

to prevent mom’s immune system from reacting and “flushing” the system

Question 3

What are the steps of maternal recognition of pregnancy?

Answer 3

-sustained progesterone (P4)
-remodeling and cell adhesion
-nutrients and growth factors & increased blood flow

Question 4

What aspects of the immune system are up-regulated during pregnancy?

Answer 4

-innate immunity
-Th2
-Treg
-NK

Question 5

What aspects of the immune system are down-regulated during pregnancy?

Answer 5

-Th1
-B cells
-adaptive immunity

Question 6

What things can go wrong with maternal immunity and pregnancy?

Answer 6

-immunologic disease
-abortion risk

Question 7

What aspects can lead to an abortion?

Answer 7

-inability to support fetus
-recognizing fetus as foreign
-fertility changes
-increased immune response during infection

Question 8

What are the functions of the placenta?

Answer 8

-maintenance of pregnancy
-nutrient exchange
-fetal and maternal protection
-fetal programming
-preparation to nourish offspring

Question 9

How is the placenta classified?

Answer 9

based on attachment and histologic characteristics

Question 10

What are the four placental attachment types?

Answer 10

-diffuse
-zonary
-cotyledonary
-discodial

Question 11

How many layers of tissue are in between the fetus and the maternal blood supply in cows, pigs, and horses?

Answer 11

6

Question 12

How many layers of tissue are in between the fetus and the maternal blood supply in dogs and cats?

Answer 12

5

Question 13

How many layers of tissue are in between the fetus and the maternal blood supply in humans and rodents?

Answer 13

3

Question 14

What factors effect placental immunity?

Answer 14

-stage of gestation
-hormones
-maternal factors

Question 15

How can the fetus be protected by protecting the dam?

Answer 15

-parenteral vx
-minimizing stress
-appropriate nutrition

Question 16

How does placenta invasiveness impact the fetus?

Answer 16

-greater risk of infection crossing placenta
-greater ability for immune system components (IgG) to cross the placenta

Question 17

What are the pros of maternal vx?

Answer 17

-enhance maternal immunity prior to pregnancy
-increase colostral antibodies in late gestation

Question 18

What are the risks of maternal vx?

Answer 18

-abortion
-immune resp. to modified live
-congenital defects

Question 19

How does fetal immunity develop?

Answer 19

-slow but consistent
-continued development of immune response throughout development

Question 20

How does pregnancy length impact fetal immune system?

Answer 20

the shorter the pregnancy, the less developed the immune system

Question 21

What factors impact fetal immunity?

Answer 21

-maternal environment
-placenta type

Question 22

What are the characteristics of fetal immunity and intrauterine infection?

Answer 22

-fetal response depends on stage of gestation
-fetus may be infected despite mom showing no signs

Question 23

Which species have IgG crossing the placenta?

Answer 23

-humans
-dogs
-cats

Question 24

What are the potential outcomes of fetal infection?

Answer 24

-nothing/perfectly healthy
-morbidity/defects and unwanted changes
-mortality/abortion or embryonic death

Question 25

What type of infection is BVDV?

Answer 25

-reproductive
-immunosuppresive

Question 26

What is important about noncytopathic BVDv?

Answer 26

-it can be incorporated into “normal self” proteins if animals are infected young enough
-animals cannot mount immune response
-become persistently infected and are major shedders