Pathophysiological aspects of fetal mummification

Abstract

The fetal mummification is a change resulting from fetal death, with its incomplete absorption occurring after the formation of the placenta. Through a nonspecific mechanism dehydration of the soft tissues of the fetus occurs deposition of calcium in tissues of the embryo. His reports in the literature describing the occurrence of mummification in several animal species, being more frequent in cattle. The death of the fetus may occur due to multifactorial causes. For installation of pathology, it is necessary the absence of microorganisms that promote lysis of dead tissue, thus causing no contamination of the uterine environment, initiating a clinical manifestation associated, such as maceration. Thus fetuses that are not completely resorbed and affected by bacterial infections have become mummified. The process of bone formation begins during the fetal period, thereby fetal mummification occur if it eventually died during this period. This time will vary according to species, and their period of pregnancy and embryonic development. Determine the etiology of this condition is not always possible due to degeneration and autolysis of embryonic tissues, usually making the mummified fetus useless bacterial and viral analysis. The achievement of good management in combination with biosecurity measures it is essential to control the rates of mummification.