Fetal bladder outlet obstruction in a stillborn bovine fetus

A stillborn bovine male fetus with abdominal distention, arthrogryposis and atresia ani was presented for diagnostic evaluation. At necropsy, this fetus had a large amount of ascites, urachal obstruction and marked bladder distention. The ventral surface of the bladder had ruptured and attached to the abdominal wall by fibrinous adhesions. There was bilateral hydronephrosis with moderate pelvic dilatation and cortical attenuation. The rectum was filled with meconium but the anus was imperforate. The right forelimb was contracted. The cause(s) of these abnormalities could not be determined; however, we believe that developmental abnormalities during embryogenesis may be the result of chromosomal abnormalities. This report is the first to report congenital urachal obstruction in this species.