A molar pregnancy in an embryo donor cow.

A 6-year-old Hereford embryo donor cow was referred to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for a mass in the tip of her left uterine horn. The cow had recently undergone an embryo collection which yielded unfertilized, degenerated ova. Transrectal palpation and ultrasound revealed a multi-locular mass enveloped by two separate compartments that resembled an amniotic and allantoic cavity within the uterus. Tissue was collected via a uterine flush and submitted for histopathology. The tissue was determined to be placenta, confirming the diagnosis of a molar pregnancy. Following treatment, the cow was able to produce numerous viable embryos. Molar pregnancies are rare and characterized by abnormal growth of trophoblastic cells leading to formation of intrauterine cystic masses. It is important to routinely perform an ultrasonographic examination of the cow's reproductive tract approximately 30 days following non-surgical in vivo embryo collections to detect and treat unwanted conditions such as pregnancy and cystic conditions.

ANTEMORTEM DIAGNOSIS AND SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF A COMPLETE MOLAR PREGNANCY IN A GERIATRIC BONOBO ( PAN PANISCUS).

A 47-yr-old multiparous female bonobo ( Pan paniscus) tested positive for pregnancy on a routine urine test. Because this geriatric animal was considered postreproductive, oral contraception had been discontinued. Sequential transabdominal ultrasound evaluations were performed under voluntary behavior and revealed that the uterus contained a mass of heterogenous tissue which was rapidly increasing in size. Due to a lack of normal fetal development and the ultrasonographic appearance of the uterine tissue, a molar pregnancy was suspected. Ovariohysterectomy was performed, and a complete hydatidiform mole was confirmed through human chorionic gonadotropin levels as well as gross and histological examination of the uterus. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time a complete molar pregnancy has been reported antemortem in a nonhuman great ape, although a single case of partial hydatidiform mole was previously documented in a chimpanzee on postmortem examination. This case describes the successful medical and surgical management of complete molar pregnancy in a bonobo and provides support for extending the age range of birth control recommendations in geriatric captive great apes that exhibit active breeding behavior.

Partial hydatidiform mole diagnosis in a cat: a case report.

A case of a stillborn Norwegian Forest kitten characterised in the course of anatomopathological and genetic examination is reported. The hydatidiform mole was diagnosed by delayed development, low birth weight of the kitten and abnormal placental development. Anatomopathological diagnosis was confirmed in genetic tests based on the amplification of highly heterozygous microsatellite sequences located on the X (FCA311) and autosomal chromosomes (FCA506, FCA532 and FCA178), as well as the sex-specific Sry and amelogenin (Amel) genes. The presence of two microsatellite alleles of paternal origin and one allele of maternal origin was observed in all analysed tissues (kidney, liver, brain, heart and spleen) of the stillborn kitten. The kitten's sex was diagnosed by the presence of the paternal Sry gene, and maternal and paternal products of Amel, as well as one maternal and one paternal X chromosome FCA311 microsatellite allele. The results thus confirmed that the haploid egg was fertilised by two sperm, yielding a triploid karyotype. In summary, the successful application of genetic markers in postnatal diagnosis of this condition in the cat confirms considerable usefulness of these techniques, especially in cases where cytogenetic diagnosis is insufficient or impossible.

Large hydatidiform mole: an unusual finding in a calving cow.

CASE HISTORY: A 4-year-old Friesian cow was reported to be having difficulty calving. Palpation by farm staff identified a large mass in the uterus, but no calf. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Veterinary examination per vaginam identified a small calf and a large immobile mass. The calf was delivered by Caesarean section, but the mass could not be extracted during surgery. Biopsying the mass resulted in the loss of a large amount of fluid from it, but it remained immovable; overnight, the mass was expelled per vaginam. Gross and histological examination of the mass showed it to comprise multiple oedematous chorionic villi, prominent stratified trophoblast, undifferentiated sub-trophoblastic mesenchymal tissue that contained adipose tissue, blood vessels and bizarre striated muscle fibres, as well as irregular cisterns in the centre. No recognisable embryonic or fetal tissue was found. DIAGNOSIS: Based on the gross and histological appearance it was concluded the mass was a complete hydatidiform mole. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is a rare, poorly understood condition of cattle. This is believed to be the first report in a cow in New Zealand.

A mola hydatidosa coexistent with a foetus in a bovine freemartin pregnancy.

Molar transformations of the bovine placenta are extremly rare phenomenona and the aetiology of this genuine placental disease is still unknown. In the present study, an uncommon case of a German Holstein Friesian foetus co-twinned with a hydatidiform mole is described. Cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of cell cultures as well as prove of the presence of the SRY gene sequence revealed a heterosexual twin pregnancy. A chimeric condition of the mole was also established. In addition, an XO cell population was detected in the co-twin as well as in the mole. Upon examination of microsatellites of the parents, the mole and the co-twin an androgenetic origin of the mole is suggested, supporting the hypothesis that molar transformation of the bovine placenta may be caused by an androgenetic origin. Furthermore, the present observation demonstrates that the freemartin condition in cattle can be induced even in cases where severe placental transformations had subsequently occurred and no foetus proper could be detected at delivery.

Hydatidiform moles in Holstein cattle.

Two hydatidiform moles from Holstein cattle are reported. One was observed after the birth of a healthy calf and the second following abortion of a fetus with osteopetrosis.