First Description of Fetal Cystic Hygroma Associated With Early Equine Pregnancy Loss.

This research examines cystic hygroma as an unidentified cause of early pregnancy loss in horses. The study found supporting evidence through ultrasound examinations, and this is the initial case where cystic hygroma is identified in equine fetuses.

Context and Objective of the Study

• This research was embarked upon to investigate the hitherto undiagnosed cause of early pregnancy loss in horses, specifically cystic hygroma. Cystic hygroma is a congenital anomaly that happens during embryogenesis when the primitive lymphatic sac doesn’t connect with the venous system at the jugular vein. This causes lymphatic stasis that begins in the neck region and affects the rest of the body.
• The underlying aim was to explore if the suspected cystic hygroma in equine fetuses ultimately led to pregnancy loss.

Methodology

• For this research, a total of 5,730 ultrasound examinations were conducted on mares from 43 different horse farms and embryo transfer farms. These examinations took place when the pregnancies were being gender-determined.
• Via transrectal ultrasound, cystic hygroma was suspected in 12 pregnancies. These ultrasounds were performed between 52 to 75 days into the pregnancy.
• For further study, six fetuses were obtained and set for histopathological evaluation and karyotyping.

Results and Conclusion

• The researchers carried out macroscopic and microscopic analysis on the collected fetuses which confirmed the preliminary diagnosis they had made via the ultrasound results.
• This study is significant as it features the first-ever documentation of cystic hygroma in equine fetuses.
• The study concludes that cystic hygroma in equine fetuses represents a cause of pregnancy loss around the 65th day of gestation.