Single-cell atlas of the equine placenta revealed cellular heterogeneity and gestational-stage-associated programs
As the first organ of the fetus, the placenta serves as the cradle of new life, orchestrating the earliest interactions between mother and offspring that guide development and long-term health. Despite its importance, the cellular organization of the equine (Equus caballus) placenta remains poorly defined. The equine epitheliochorial placenta, characterized by the absence of trophoblast invasion and prominent endocrine activity, provides a unique comparative model for studying placental cellular composition and development.