The Visual Guide to
Porcine Reproduction
Abortion: Infectious Causes
![Mummification.](images/po00001.jpg)
Mummification.
Largely mummified litter believed to be caused by Parvo virus (but not confirmed in this case).
Roberts SJ (1973)
![Mummification / Uterus.](images/po00068.jpg)
Mummification / Uterus.
Some fetuses died and started to mummify earlier than others, based on their relative sizes.
Larsen RE (1979)
![Small Mummies.](images/po00067.jpg)
Small Mummies.
Multiple firm masses of different sizes could be palpated within the uterus.
Larsen RE (1979)
![Leptospirosis.](images/po00002.jpg)
Leptospirosis.
The sow had a high titer for Leptospira spp. Some or all of the fetuses may have been infected and died due to a leptospiral septicemia. Mummification had started in some fetuses.
McEntee K (1973)
![Leptospirosis or Parvo Virus.](images/po00534.jpg)
Leptospirosis or Parvo Virus.
Some of the fetuses may have been infected and died due to a leptospiral septicemia or a Parvo virus infection. Mummification is in various stages.
Shipley C (2006)
![Late Fetal Death.](images/po00536.jpg)
Late Fetal Death.
Dead fetus with abdominal distension and in early stage of mummification [note sunken-in eye socket] due to Parvo virus infection.
Shipley C (2006)
![Mummified Fetus.](images/po00096.jpg)
Mummified Fetus.
Porcine mummy believed to be associated with a respiratory syndrome.
Prado TM (2007)
![SMEDI Virus Abortion.](images/po00448.jpg)
SMEDI Virus Abortion.
Porcine fetuses likely infected with an enterovirus [SMEDI: Stillborn, Mummification, Embryonic Death, Infertility].
Smith MC (2011)
![Parvo Virus.](images/po00247.jpg)
Parvo Virus.
24 day embryo in a blood tinged amniotic vesicle. Parvo virus infection caused embryonic death.
Evans LE (2009)
![Parvo Virus.](images/po00234.jpg)
Parvo Virus.
This is an example of a mid-trimester Parvo virus infection. Fetuses have died at different ages and have mummified.
Evans LE (2009)
![Parvo Virus.](images/po00235.jpg)
Parvo Virus.
Multiple mummies plus one fetus that survived for a while longer, the result of Parvo virus infection.
Evans LE (2009)
![Parvo Virus.](images/po00236.jpg)
Parvo Virus.
Multiple mummies plus one fetus that succumbed later, as the result of Parvo virus infection.
Evans LE (2009)
![Pseudorabies.](images/po00248.jpg)
Pseudorabies.
Abortion due to pseudorabies. The membranes are intact and appear to be autolysed.
Evans LE (2009)
![Pseudorabies.](images/po00249.jpg)
Pseudorabies.
Abortion due to pseudorabies. The membranes are intact and appear to be autolytic.
Evans LE (2009)
![Pseudorabies.](images/po00250.jpg)
Pseudorabies.
Abortion due to pseudorabies. All fetuses were about the same age at the time of death.
Evans LE (2009)
![24 Day Embryo.](images/po00224.jpg)
24 Day Embryo.
Vascular damage prior to abortion. Embryo still intact. Etiology: Parvo virus.
Evans LE (2009)
![24 Day Embryo - Close Up.](images/po00225.jpg)
24 Day Embryo - Close Up.
Vascular damage in the chorioallantois prior to abortion. Embryo still intact. Etiology: Parvo virus.
Evans LE (2009)
![Degenerating Embryos.](images/po00226.jpg)
Degenerating Embryos.
Three degenerating embryos at slightly different ages. Etiology: Parvo virus.
Evans LE (2009)
![Degenerating Embryos.](images/po00227.jpg)
Degenerating Embryos.
Two 24 to 26 day embryos from the uterus with a damaged feto-placental unit. Cause not determined. There is evidence of hemorrhage in the chorionic vessels of the upper embryo.
Evans LE (2009)