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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2020; 55(4); 438-441; doi: 10.1111/rda.13625

Pregnancy loss due to amnionitis in anglo-arabian mare-Case report.

Abstract: The amnion is a layer of the foetal membrane that has mechanical protection function and allows expansion and growth. The diseases that affect amnion have rarely been reported in horses. Amnionitis and funiculitis have been implicated as components of abortions as observed in abortions caused by the mare reproductive loss syndrome. Here, we report an abortion at 240-day gestation of a 7-year-old Anglo-Arabian mare with a history of previous stillbirth. Blood samples from both mare and foetus were collected for serological testing. Fragments from the placenta were taken for macroscopic and histopathological examinations. The results of these tests ruled out leptospirosis and concluded that the cause of the abortion was non-infectious chronic amnionitis. Moreover, the decreased vascularization in the placenta was consistent with placental insufficiency. This case highlights the importance of monthly ultrasound monitoring in equine pregnancy in order to diagnose placental insufficiency. The study also confirmed the efficiency of the histopathological examination for the definitive diagnosis of placental inflammation and for the study of foetal vascularization to rule out placental insufficiency in equine reproduction.
Publication Date: 2020-02-20 PubMed ID: 31916285DOI: 10.1111/rda.13625Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses a case of pregnancy loss in an Anglo-Arabian mare due to the non-infectious chronic condition of amnionitis. This brings to light the need for regular ultrasound monitoring for early detection of potential abnormalities, including placental insufficiency during an equine pregnancy.

Clinical Case Study

  • The case study focuses on a 7-year-old Anglo-Arabian mare that experienced abortion at the 240-day gestation period. The mare had already experienced a previous stillbirth.
  • Blood samples were taken from the mare and foetus to conduct a serological test.
  • Fragments of the placenta were also extracted for macroscopic and histopathological tests.

Disease Diagnosis

  • The results from the tests excluded leptospirosis as a possible cause of the abortion.
  • The cause of the abortion was diagnosed as non-infectious chronic amnionitis. Amnionitis is a rare condition in horses and affects the amnion, a layer of the foetal membrane that enables growth and provides mechanical protection.
  • This disease, along with funiculitis, has previously been identified as contributing factors of abortions, notably in cases relating to mare reproductive loss syndrome.

Placental Assessment

  • In addition to amnionitis, the examinations found decreased vascularization in the placenta, suggesting placental insufficiency. This deficiency in the placenta often results in undernourished and smaller foetuses, proper placental function is crucial for a healthy gestation period.

Methodology Confirmation

  • The study confirmed the efficacy of histopathological examinations in identifying placental inflammation and in studying foetal vascularization.
  • Such investigations provide definitive diagnoses and rule out the possibility of placental insufficiency.

Recommended Follow-Up Actions

  • This case underscores the importance of monthly ultrasound monitoring during an equine pregnancy.
  • Such regular checks can aid in early detection of potential abnormalities, inclusive of placental insufficiency, enabling timely medical intervention.

Cite This Article

APA
Campos I, Batista B, Matos AC, Dutra F, Gomes G, Pinna A, Leite J, Ferreira A. (2020). Pregnancy loss due to amnionitis in anglo-arabian mare-Case report. Reprod Domest Anim, 55(4), 438-441. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13625

Publication

ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 4
Pages: 438-441

Researcher Affiliations

Campos, Isabela
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil.
Batista, Barbara
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil.
Matos, Ana Carina
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil.
Dutra, Fernanda
  • Dutra Laboratory and Reproduction Center, PiraÃ, Brazil.
Gomes, Gustavo
  • Diagnostic Veterinary Medicine, University of Vassouras, Vassouras, Brazil.
Pinna, Aline
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil.
Leite, Juliana
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil.
Ferreira, Ana
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / etiology
  • Animals
  • Chorioamnionitis / pathology
  • Chorioamnionitis / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Placenta / blood supply
  • Placenta / pathology
  • Placental Insufficiency / veterinary
  • Pregnancy

Grant Funding

  • 001 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
  • Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
  • Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

References

This article includes 17 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Li L, Li S, Ma H, Akhtar MF, Tan Y, Wang T, Liu W, Khan A, Khan MZ, Wang C. An Overview of Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes of Pregnancy Losses in Equine. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 2;14(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14131961pubmed: 38998073google scholar: lookup