Fetal resorption (also known as fetus resorption) is the disintegration and assimilation of one or more
fetus
A fetus or foetus (; : fetuses, foetuses, rarely feti or foeti) is the unborn offspring of a viviparous animal that develops from an embryo. Following the embryonic development, embryonic stage, the fetal stage of development takes place. Pren ...
es in the
uterus
The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', : uteri or uteruses) or womb () is the hollow organ, organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans, that accommodates the embryonic development, embryonic and prenatal development, f ...
at any stage after the completion of
organogenesis
Organogenesis is the phase of embryonic development that starts at the end of gastrulation and continues until birth. During organogenesis, the three germ layers formed from gastrulation (the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm) form the internal org ...
, which, in humans, is after the ninth week of gestation. Before organogenesis, the process is called
embryo resorption. Resorption is more likely to happen early on in the
gestation
Gestation is the period of development during the carrying of an embryo, and later fetus, inside viviparous animals (the embryo develops within the parent). It is typical for mammals, but also occurs for some non-mammals. Mammals during pregn ...
than later on; a later death of a fetus is likely to result in a
miscarriage
Miscarriage, also known in medical terms as a spontaneous abortion, is an end to pregnancy resulting in the loss and expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the womb before it can fetal viability, survive independently. Miscarriage before 6 weeks ...
.
In rodents
Fetal resorption in rats is common and can be influenced by antioxidants.
In canines
In 1998, an ultrasound study found that the resorption of one or two
conceptus
A conceptus (from Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), ...
es happen in up to 10% of all dog pregnancies,
[ although many cases of assumed complete resorption of an entire ]litter
Litter consists of waste products that have been discarded incorrectly, without consent, at an unsuitable location. The waste is objects, often man-made, such as aluminum cans, paper cups, food wrappers, cardboard boxes or plastic bottles, but ...
are likely to have just been the bitch experiencing a pseudopregnancy.
See also
* Vanishing twin syndrome
* Lithopedion, calcified body of a dead fetus
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Pregnancy with abortive outcome