A conjoined januceps (janiceps) fetus
Keywords: Mongolia, Richardson, bovine, conjoined, dystocia
A tongue in cheek commentary on an interesting series of images kindly lent to the author by Dr Heather Richardson (heathrichardson@hotmail.com). Dr Richardson spent time performing veterinary services and supporting veterinary education in rural Mongolia. This shows how she delivered a januceps fetus by cesearean section under rather unusual conditions.
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From top L to R and bottom L to R): A rainstorm threatened to disrupt surgery. Therefore, despite the presence of family treasures and fine carpets, the cow with dystocia was brought into the ger (yurt) for the cesarean section. Dr Richardson commented that it was only the mother of the family who seemed concerned over the fate of their carpets (ringed). The animal was prepared for surgery with resignation on her part.
Fortunately the clouds parted and the cow was led from the ger to the spacious operating room just outside. The final image in the collage shows one of the calve's limbs being exteriorized prior to incising the uterus.
Examination of the calf showed the exact cause of dystocia; a januceps fetus with a single central ear.
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Because of the advanced age of the cow (18 years) and a prolonged struggle to deliver the calf by several people, a guarded prognosis was given for recovery.
In the formation of conjoined twins, division of the embryo into two individuals begins later than in other forms of identical twins and the process of division is never completed. The primitive streak may start to split caudally or cranially. Accordingly, twins may be conjoined either cranially or caudally. When division of the primitive streak begins cranially and does not progress beyond the occipital bones of the skull, the animal develops two incomplete heads. The condition is named for the Roman god Janus who looks both into the past and future. Therefore the name januceps is more appropriate than janiceps, the commonly accepted term.
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