Demonstration of microchimerism in pregnant sows and effects of congenital PRRSV infection

• Published in: Veterinary research (Paris) Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 19 - 144
• Main Authors: Karniychuk, Uladzimir U, Van Breedam, Wander, Van Roy, Nadine, Rogel-Gaillard, Claire, Nauwynck, Hans J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 16.03.2012; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Agricultural sciences; Animals; Chimerism - veterinary; DNA; DNA - blood; Female; fetus; fluorescence in situ hybridization; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Immunology; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence - veterinary; Life Sciences; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microbiology; Microchimerism; polymerase chain reaction; Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome - physiopathology; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome - virology; Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus - physiology; Pregnancy; Respiratory syncytial virus; Short Report; siblings; Sows; Swine - genetics; Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science; Virology; Belgium; Microchimeric Cell; Fetal Cell; Female Fetus; Fetal Gender; Male Fetus
• ISSN: 1297-9716; 0928-4249; 1297-9716
• DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-43-19

The presence of foreign cells within the tissue/circulation of an individual is described as microchimerism. The main purpose of the present investigation was to study if microchimerism occurs in healthy sows/fetuses and if porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection influences this phenomenon. Six dams were inoculated intranasally with PRRSV and three non-inoculated dams served as controls. Male DNA was detected in female fetal sera of all dams via PCR. Male DNA was also detected in the maternal circulation. Sex-typing FISH showed the presence of male cells in the female fetal organs and vice versa. PRRSV infection did not influence microchimerism, but might misuse maternal and sibling microchimeric cells to enter fetuses.