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Veterinary research communications2026; 50(3); 178; doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-11060-9

Cryptophthalmia, microphthalmia, oronasal malformation, and hydrocephalus in an aborted equine fetus with umbilical torsion in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Abstract: Facial abnormalities and brain defects in aborted equine fetuses are rarely reported, and the causes that predispose the occurrence of this condition are difficult to identify. This work reports the morphological and tomographic findings of a case of cryptophthalmia, microphthalmia, oronasal malformation, and hydrocephalus in an aborted equine fetus with umbilical cord torsion in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, from a primiparous Quarter Horse female, with 7 months of gestational age. The occurrence of miscarriage was associated with compromised maternal-fetal blood flow due to umbilical cord torsion concomitant with fetal malformation. The congenital defects described in this report occurred sporadically, and it was not possible to determine the cause. The concurrent presentation of congenital malformations and umbilical torsion in equine fetuses is exceptionally rare, and this report includes the first description of the use of computer tomography for the characterization of fetal congenital malformation.
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Publication Date: 2026-02-28 PubMed ID: 41762325PubMed Central: PMC12950065DOI: 10.1007/s11259-025-11060-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This research article describes a rare case of multiple congenital abnormalities in an aborted horse fetus in Brazil, including eye and facial malformations and brain defects, linked to umbilical cord torsion.
  • The study highlights the use of computed tomography (CT) to characterize these fetal malformations, which has not been previously reported in equine fetuses.

Introduction and Background

  • Congenital abnormalities in aborted equine fetuses, especially those involving facial and brain defects, are infrequently documented.
  • The causes of these defects are often difficult to establish due to their sporadic nature and the complexity of developmental factors.
  • Umbilical cord torsion, a condition where the umbilical cord twists, can compromise blood flow between the mare and fetus, potentially leading to miscarriage or fetal abnormalities.

Case Description

  • The fetus studied was at approximately 7 months gestational age, from a primiparous (first-time pregnant) Quarter Horse mare in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
  • Multiple congenital defects were observed, including:
    • Cryptophthalmia: a condition where eyelids fail to separate properly, resulting in a hidden or absent eye.
    • Microphthalmia: abnormally small eyes.
    • Oronasal malformation: abnormalities involving the mouth and nose structures.
    • Hydrocephalus: accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid causing brain enlargement or swelling.
  • Umbilical cord torsion was noted, which presumably led to compromised maternal-fetal blood circulation.

Methods

  • Morphological analysis involved physical examination of the fetus to identify anatomical defects.
  • Computed tomography (CT) was used to obtain detailed cross-sectional images and better characterize the extent and nature of the congenital malformations.
  • The use of CT imaging is novel in this context and offers improved visualization over traditional examination methods.

Findings and Interpretation

  • The fetal congenital defects were severe and complex, affecting critical structures of the head and brain.
  • Umbilical cord torsion likely caused impaired blood supply, which may have contributed to fetal death and miscarriage.
  • These developmental abnormalities occurred sporadically, meaning they were random and not linked to inherited or infectious causes identifiable in this case.
  • The combined presence of umbilical cord torsion and congenital malformations in equine fetuses is very rare, making this case report significant.
  • CT imaging provided valuable diagnostic information that supplemented traditional morphological findings and could be used in future cases to aid diagnosis.

Conclusions and Significance

  • The report adds new knowledge about rare congenital conditions in horses and their potential association with umbilical cord complications.
  • It underscores the challenges in identifying the exact causes of fetal abnormalities when they occur sporadically.
  • The utilization of CT technology represents an important advancement in veterinary fetal pathology diagnosis, improving the ability to describe anatomical defects in detail.
  • The findings may benefit veterinarians and researchers in diagnosing, managing, and understanding equine fetal losses with congenital abnormalities.

Cite This Article

APA
Barrantes Murillo DF, Camillo G, Souza Serrano B, Almeida Luciano LP, Castilho Bichara GV, Chaves Vás CA, Furlan Gouvêa FH, Brandini Nespoli PE, Dos Santos Ferraz RH, Argenta Pescador C. (2026). Cryptophthalmia, microphthalmia, oronasal malformation, and hydrocephalus in an aborted equine fetus with umbilical torsion in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Vet Res Commun, 50(3), 178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-11060-9

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 3
PII: 178

Researcher Affiliations

Barrantes Murillo, Daniel Felipe
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
Camillo, Gabriela
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil.
Souza Serrano, Bruna
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil.
Almeida Luciano, Letícia Perri
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil.
Castilho Bichara, Gabriela Viana
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil.
Chaves Vás, Carlos Alberto
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil.
Furlan Gouvêa, Fernando Henrique
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil.
Brandini Nespoli, Pedro Eduardo
  • Diagnostic Imaging Sector, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil.
Dos Santos Ferraz, Rosa Helena
  • Laboratory for Clinical Analysis of Birds and Reptiles, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil.
Argenta Pescador, Caroline
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367 - Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, MT, Brazil. carolinepescador@gmail.com.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics statement: The authors confirm that the journal’s ethical policies, as noted on the journal’s author guidelines page, have been adhered to. No ethical approval was required as this is a case submitted for routine post-mortem examination. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

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