Macerated bovine fetus
Keywords: bovine, macerated, fetus, surgery, fertility
Bones of a macerated fetus removed by hysterotomy from a seven year old Angus cow.
Image size: 1555 x 794px Author and holder of copyright: Dr Swanand Sathe. Iowa State University. swansathe@gmail.com
The cow with this pregnancy was presented with a history of anestrus and a chronic vaginal discharge. A diagnosis of fetal maceration and metritis was made. Using hysterotomy via a caudal flank incision, fetal bones and debris were removed. Aggressive post-surgery medical treatment was used and after five months of sexual rest, the cow conceived, produced excellent embryos for embryo transfer and later, became pregnant herself.
Note: Surgical treatment for macerated fetuses by laparotomy is not common. This is because the uterus is small and lies within the confines of the pelvic inlet. Therefore it is difficult to approach through a flank incision. Medical treatment using luteolysis followed by prostaglandin-induced cervical relaxation then manual dilation, has been successful in the short term. However, long term fertility data is scant. The same is true of hysterotomy via colpotomy.
In this case, a surgical approach was indeed attempted and proved to be successful in terms of long term fertility. As the authors of the published case have reported, there was also significant uterine pathology, so the outcome was more favorable than expected.
In this case, a surgical approach was indeed attempted and proved to be successful in terms of long term fertility. As the authors of the published case have reported, there was also significant uterine pathology, so the outcome was more favorable than expected.
Acknowledgements: The author wishes to thank Dr Robert Youngquist, Editor, Clinical Theriogenology and owner of copyright to the image, for allowing it to be reproduced in a modified form in LORI. This author is also indebted to Dr Swanand Sathe, the author of the original image and Dr John Herrmann, principle author of the article published in Clinical Theriogenology (see reference).
Reference:
Herrmann, J.A. and Sathe, S.R. 2014. Reproductive performance of an Angus cow after removal of a macerated fetus via caudal flank laparotomy and hysterotomy. Clinical Theriogenology. 6:41-52.
