Retained fetal membranes in C57BL/6NCrl mice: description of clinical case presentations and related epidemiologic findings. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • During a triinstitutional study to test whether individually ventilated caging systems impaired welfare and reproduction relative to static housing systems, varying numbers (2 to 7) of discoid-shaped, fleshy structures were found in utero of 17 postpartum female mice on study. Further investigation revealed these structures to be retained fetal membranes (RFM). A point prevalence of 24.3% was calculated based on a total population of 70 postpartum female mice on study. This finding was preceded by 3 typical clinical presentations, which are described here. We designed a case-control matched cross-sectional epidemiologic study to identify associated risk factors and antemortem indicators of RFM. Housing on the bottom shelves and attachment to the rack systems were factors associated with a diagnosis of the condition. In addition, neutrophilia, monocytosis, lymphopenia, and decreasing hematocrit values were associated with the diagnosis of RFM. These results confirmed that a CBC can be a useful antemortem screening test for the identification of affected mice. We conclude that RFM are likely an incidental finding although they may present concurrent with other pregnancy complications.

published proceedings

  • Comp Med

author list (cited authors)

  • Johnson, J. K., Vemulapalli, T. H., Van Alstine, W. G., Roberts, C. S., Garner, J. P., & Hickman, D. L.

citation count

  • 0

complete list of authors

  • Johnson, Jenelle K||Vemulapalli, Tracy H||Van Alstine, William G||Roberts, Christopher S||Garner, Joseph P||Hickman, Debra L

publication date

  • January 2011