Fetal membranes

Toxicoses from pine needles have been reported in field cases, but are rare and have only occurred in pregnant cattle. No toxicity other than abortion in cattle has been demonstrated from ICA or ICA derivatives. However, the abietane-type resin acids in ponderosa pine needles (concentrated in new growth pine tips) have been shown to be toxic, but not abortifacient at high doses, when administered orally to cattle, goats, and hamsters. Pathological evaluations of intoxicated animals includes nephrosis, edema of the CNS, myonecrosis, and gastroenteritis (Stegelmeier et al., 1996). While abietane-type resin acids may contribute to the occasional toxicoses reported in the field, they do not contribute to the abortions. Most cow losses in the field are associated with difficult parturition or post abortion toxemia due to retained fetal membranes. 

Terbutaline (Brethine, Bricanyl) is a relatively specific P2-adrenoceptor agonist (see Chapters 10 and 39). Terbutaline can prevent premature labor, especially in individuals who are more than 20 weeks into gestation and have no indication of ruptured fetal membranes or in whom labor is not far advanced. Its effectiveness in premature labor after 33 weeks of gestation is much less clear. Terbutaline can decrease the frequency, intensity, and duration of uterine contractions through its ability to directly stimulate Pj-adrenoceptors. While it appears to be especially selective for P2-receptor activation, terbutaUne does have some Pi activity as well. 

A comparison of the amino acid sequencing of the NH2-terminal regions of the core proteins of PG-II from bovine articular cartilage, sclera, skin, tendon, human skin and post-bum scars, fetal membrane, bone, and cartilage are shown in Table VIII. The A, -A9 amino acid sequences for bovine and human tissue are identical, and thereafter, the sequences within the... 

The rat is placed in a dorsal position on an undersheet and the fur is moistened with ethanol/water. The abdominal cavity is opened and the abdominal wall folded back. The uterus is exposed and the amniotic fluid is withdrawn by puncturing the amniotic sac with a syringe. The uterus is then placed on a plastic film and opened. The placentas with the fetuses are detached from the uterus. The placentas are then detached from the fetuses. After removing the fetal membranes the fetuses are removed and immediately killed under CO2 atmosphere. The amniotic fluid is aspirated with a disposable syringe. 

Significant neonatal morbidity can occur after transabdominal infusion of methylthioninium chloride to diagnose premature rupture of fetal membranes, to stain the amniotic fluid in twin pregnancies, or after postpartum administration of methylthioninium chloride. Toxic manifestations include hyperbilirubinemia, Heinz body hemolytic anemia, and possible desquamation of the skin. In most cases it appears that toxicity was the result of an overdose of methylthioninium chloride (6-9). 

The prostaglandin analog fluprostenol (250-500 jjLg i.m.) results in unpredictable delivery times and variability in the time from injection to foaling. In addition, pony mares not close to spontaneous parturition that were treated with fluprostenol delivered premature and weak foals that died shortly after delivery and treatment was associated with dystocia and retained fetal membranes. In contrast, when fluprostenol was given to mares that were close to spontaneous delivery, normal viable foals were bom (Bristol 1982). 

Mares usually expel the fetal membranes within 3h of parturition. If these membranes are retained for longer than 6h, the mare is at risk of developing metritis, septicemia, endotoxemia, laminitis and possibly death. 

Many different samples are available for clinical laboratory analysis before and during pregnancy. These include paternal serum and blood maternal serum, blood, and urine amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis or from pools of fluid in the vagina after rupture of the fetal membranes chorionic villi fetal blood obtained by percutaneous umbilical blood sampling and fetal tissue obtained by biopsy. ... 

USE In color photography (sensitizer for extreme reds). Has photoconductive properties that increase sharply with a rise in temp and is classed as an Oj-photoconductor Meier, Z. Phys. Chem. (Leipzig) 208, 325 (1958). Gives a color reaction with magnesium ions Babenko, Zhur. Anal. Khim. 13, 496 (1958). Diagnostic stain for cytodiagnosis of ruptured fetal membranes. 

Okazaki T, Sagawa N, Okita JR, et al. Diacylglycerol metabolism and arachidonic acid release in human fetal membranes and decidua vera. J Biol Chem 1981 256 7316-7321. 

Appropriately dispose of placenta, birth products, fetal membranes, and aborted fetuses at facilities housing sheep and goats. 

The myometrial, decidual, placental and fetal membrane phospholipids were studied by P NMR [38]. The tissue samples were pulverized and extracted. The signals of phosphatidylcholine PCho, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin SM and phosphatidyli-nositol were found. The ratio PCho/SM decreased during pregnancy in the decidua, placenta and fetal membranes but not in the myometrium. The fetal tissues, fetal membranes and placenta contained about twice as much phospholipid as the maternal tissues. 

The deciduum consists of two parts the deciduum basalis, attached to the mesometrial side of the uterus, which persists throughout pregnancy and becomes incorporated into the placenta, and the deciduum capsularis, which is attached at first to the antimesometrial side of the uterus, the site of implantation, but which breaks away from it at 10J days, producing a new uterine lumen. It is normally extended by the growth of the fetal membranes to a very thin layer, which necroses by 12 days. 

The small sphere enclosed within the trophoblast proves from its staining reaction to be the Reichert membrane, which normally intervenes between the fetal membrane and the trophoblast. It is now found to enclose merely a few disorganized embryonic cells. 

On dissection at 2 days, these fetuses are found to be macerated, though still enclosed in their fetal membranes, and the placenta still looks healthy though small. The inappropriateness of the term resorbed embryos is again obvious. The embryos, though macerated, are still in situ. As necrosis advances, the fetal membranes break up, liberating the pus-like contents into the lumen and thence to the exterior. There is no evidence of resorption. If the dissections are made at any time after 12J days, the distinctions between the modes of death become less obvious, and the implantation sites, which remain constant in size, become progressively less... 

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