27: non infectious pregnancy loss Flashcards
what is early embryonic mortality?
loss of conceptus prior to maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP)
what assumption regarding the mare’s fertility usually follows early embryonic mortality?
exception?
assumption is sub fertility / infertility
except: mares
t/f
after early embryonic mortality, a FM will have regular return to estrus
true
NO MRP occurred so cycles continue as normal
what does the term early embryonic death imply?
embryonic losses that occur prior to time of abortion
late embryonic mortality is defined as what?
embryonic loss btwn MRP and completion of organogenesis
how does late embryonic mortality affect FM return to cycling?
pseudo pregnancy occurs b/c MRP has occurred
irregular return to estrus occurs as a result
what is a resorption?
what is dispelled from the FM?
embryonic (or early fetal) tissues break down and components are dispersed
“flimsy” parts of embryo can be absorbed thru endometrium after embryonic loss
FM may have discharge (this is often inapparent) but no discernible conceptus is expelled
what is mummification?
death of 1 or more fetuses in the absence of ascending bacT infection
fetuses and placentas become dessicated via absorption of fetal fluids
when mummification occurs, what is usually occurring in FM repro tract during this time?
CL present (pseudopregnancy occurs)
cervix NOT dilated
mummification MC occurs in which species?
cattle
swine
Pygmy goats
t/f
PgF2a can be given to cows to resolve cases of mummification
false - some require surgical removal, especially if cow is valuable
what is maceration?
occurs w death of fetus in the presence of bacT infection
macerated fetus may, rarely, be retained w/in uterus
what occurs in FM repro tract when maceration occurs?
luteolysis eventually -> cervical dilation -> additional colonization of fetal tissues by ascending organisms
what species MC experiences maceration?
cattle
what is an abortion?
expulsion or delivery of a fetus, live or dead, that is incapable of life outside of the uterus due to pre maturity
it is NONVIABLE
when does an embryo become a fetus?
once differentiation / organogenesis is complete?
what is late term abortion?
abortion occurring in late gestation or near to term
what is still birth?
offspring born dead or found deceased shortly after birth at term
what is MC reason for still births?
severe hypoxia during parturition
what makes a fetus viable or non viable?
its ability to live outside the FM
at what point can you determine that a fetus is viable?
you cannot - you can say that it is alive but you cannot say it is viable until it shows that it is viable once it is born
what are some non infectious mechanisms of pregnancy loss?
- genetic abnormalities of embryo / fetus
- physiologic stress, including systemic (non repro) illness
- toxins
- placental insufficiency
- endocrine abnormalities
- iatrogenic through administration of abortifacient pharmaceutical cocktail -> intentional or inadvertent
why is the embryonic period relatively tenuous in the mare, especially during her first 35 days of pregnancy?
preg maintenance dep on CL
what is the embryonic mortality rate in the mare?
due to what problems most commonly?
2.5-25%
intrinsic reproductive, extrinsic, embryonic
what are the intrinsic causes to embryonic mortality loss in the mare?
foal heat breeding
endometrial degeneration
progesterone deficiency
how common is progesterone deficiency in the mare, leading to embryonic mortality in the mare?
rare
what is intrinsic embryonic mortality loss in the mare due to (d/t) foal heat breeding issues caused by?
when can it occur relative to MRP?
some loss is to be expected
d/t incomplete involution, residual inflammation when embryo arrives in uterus 5 d post fertilization
loss may occur before or after MRP
what is the condition of endometrial degeneration in the mare?
poor histotroph production - endometrial gland duct constricted by fibrosis - interferes w effective implantation
t/f
endometrial degeneration is age related
somewhat true - somewhat age related by not entirely
does endometrial degeneration in the mare affect pregnancy before or after MRP?
what type of pseudopregnancy occurs?
after MRP
pseudopregnancy type 1
why is some loss during foal heat expected?
less fertile b/c of hospitality of uterine environment - less likely for the embryo to survive the uterus during this time
what are some extrinsic causes of pregnancy loss in the mare?
physiologic “stress”
nutrition
how does physiologic stress cause embryonic mortality in the mare?
lysis of the primary CL
what might cause physiologic stress in a mare?
inc ambient temperature
heavy work
transport
endotoxemia
t/f
nutrition has a significant effect on embryonic mortality in the mare
false
this is unlikely
embryo is small and nutritional needs are very small AND is equipped with its own supply in the yolk sac
what are embryonic or fetal causes of embryonic and early fetal mortality in the mare?
chromosomal abnormalities
poor oocyte quality in mares of advanced age
spontaneous, sporadic chromosomal abnormality
immunogenetic influences
mare stallion incompatibility - RARE
mare-jack breeding - failure to produce endometrial cups