The fetomaternal interface shows vascular hypoglycosylation in the tammar wallaby Macropus eugenii: Comparison with a range of non-mammalian and eutherian placentae

Abstract

Introduction: Blood vessel glycosylation at the fetomaternal interface of four near-term specimens of tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, has been examined at days 23e26 of the 26.5 day pregnancy and compared with that of other species. Methods: A panel of 23 lectins was used to compare vasculature in tammar with non-mammalian (shark, skink) and eutherian species at early and late gestation (camel, horse and alpaca), and term/near-term (cat, lion, dog, mink and elephant). Results: Strikingly low levels of all the glycans tested, apart from sialic acids, were found in capillary endothelium of both the trilaminar omphalopleure and underlying surface endometrium of the tammar, though deeper endom..