Pathology of the Placenta & Foetus Flashcards
What is the Chorion>?
The later that contact the mother; in most species fused with the allantois
What is the Allantois?
Contains fetal urine and other fluids arising from the membrane itself
_______ is the smooth translucent membrane that surrounds the fetus and hold amniotic fluid; the fetal side can usually be ID’d by presence of amniotic plaaues
Amnion
What are the significance of Amniotic plaques?
They are little areas where we have flattened epithelium. Its an incidental finding, do not worry about them. They are commonly present on the bovine amnion during the middle trimester of gestation
When do early embryonic losses/mortalities occur?
During the early gestation period — delayed return to estrus
What is an exception in early embryonic loss?
Some infections cause infertility. Chromosomal abnormalities account for many of these losses.
Campylobacter fetus venerealis will cause…
Early embryonic death
Foetal death LATER in development will lead to…
Abortion
Stillbirth
Mummification
Maceration
Define Abortion
Expulsion of a Fetus prior to the time of expected viability
Define Stillbirth
Death of the fetus in the last part of gestation during the period where it is independently viable
What virus can cause stillbirth in piglets?
Porcine Parvovirus
_______ is when the fetus is retained indefinitely and become dehydrated
Mummification
T/F
Typically there is no bacterial infection to promote tissue lysis or putrefaction in fetus mummification
TRUE
How long does it take for a fetus in utero to dehydrate?
Usually takes longer than 1 week
What are the species causes of mummification?
Horse- Twinning Cattle- BVD virus infection Dog- Canine Herpesvirus Cat- Uterine horn torsion Sow- Parvoviral infection
Define Maceration
A dead fetus is retained and infected by bacteria. This may be associated with dystocia or incomplete abortion.
Maceration can lead to…
Pyometra and maternal death from peritonitis and toxemia
What species is Placental Insufficiency most important in?
Horses, Mares > may lead to fetal death, mummification, or abortion
When would we see placental insufficiency?
Twinning, Endometrial Fibrosis, Premature placental separation, Uterine body pregnancy, Torsion of the umbilical cord
How would you test for endometrial fibrosis in a mare?
Take biopsies- would be able to see if p didn’t have enough glands that may lead to placental insufficiency
________ is when extra placenta is made because there wasn’t enough to begin with.
Adventitial Placentation
Development of intercotyledonary placentation in cattle is a mechanism of compensation for inadequate development of placentomes
Adventitial Placentation
Adventitial Placentation is a mechanism of…
Compensation
Hydramnions and Hydroallantois is…
Excessive accumulation of fluid in the amniotic and allantoic sacs
_______ is usually associated with the MALFORMATION OF FETUS
Hydramnios (p may have facial anomalies)
_________ is associated with uterine dz w/ inadequate numbers of caruncles and development of adventitial placentation in cattle
Hydroallantois
Yolk sac remnants and allantoic pouches are also commonly observed in…
Mares. This is an incidental finding.
What are present in virtually ALL equine placentae and are proteinaceous soft calculi, aggregated mineral, and organic allantoic concrements?
Hippomanes
What is the No. 1 bacteria causing abortion?
SALMONELLA!
What bacteria can cause abortions and cause p to have life long problems?
BRUCELLA
What bacteria could you use fluorescent antibody testing on?
LEPTO
For protozoal agents that cause abortion, how would you test for them?
Sample fetal brain and look for hallmarks of protozoal encephalitis
Viruses, such as Herpesvirus and Pesivirus, causing abortion…how would you test?
Take thoracic and abdominal fluid and used paired serology
If a bacterial agent caused abortion, where can you collect a sample from the fetus to culture?
Fetal stomach
What is the criteria for submitting aborted fetuses for diagnostic evaluation?
- When herd abortion rate exceeds 3% (max tolerable abortion rate)
- When a number of animals abort over a short period of time
Abortions that are sporatic and fetuses usually have plaques on skin are more than likely ______ agents.
Fungal agents
Dermatitis lesions on fetus may have diagnostic significance that it is a….
Mycotic abortion (fungal)
Amnionitis lesions on an aborted fetus >
Ureaplasma spp
Focal necrosis in the liver or other tissues >
Herpesviral Infection / Campylobacter
Myocarditis and myocardial necrosis
BVD, Neospora caninum, Nutritional myopathy
Microscopic brain lesions…think…
Protozoal
Placental tissue is good to look at in sheep for…
Chlamydia and Toxoplasma
