Fetal resorption (also known as fetus resorption) is the disintegration and assimilation of one or more
fetus
A fetus or foetus (; plural fetuses, feti, foetuses, or foeti) is the unborn offspring that develops from an animal embryo. Following embryonic development the fetal stage of development takes place. In human prenatal development, fetal develo ...
es in the
uterus
The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', plural ''uteri'') or womb () is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more embryos until birth. The ...
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 ...
, which, in humans, is after the ninth week of gestation. Before organogenesis, the process is called
embryo loss. 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 preg ...
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 and pregnancy loss, is the death of an embryo or fetus before it is able to survive independently. Miscarriage before 6 weeks of gestation is defined by ESHRE as biochemical ...
.
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
conceptuses 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. Litter can also be used as a verb; to litter means to drop and leave objects, often man-made, such as aluminum cans, paper cups ...
are likely to have just been the bitch
Bitch may refer to:
* A female dog or other canine
* Bitch (slang), a vulgar slur for a human female
Bitch or bitches may also refer to:
Arts and media Film and television
* ''The Bitch'' (film), a 1979 film starring Joan Collins
* ''Bit ...
experiencing a pseudopregnancy.
See also
* Vanishing twin syndrome
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Pregnancy with abortive outcome