Necropsy

Straw and dirt were initially rinsed from the fetus using low pressure tap water.  Weighed, measured (crown-rump length), and fetal developmental characteristics and gender were recorded. The fetus was inspected for external lesions and then opened in the ventral midline. Specimens were taken for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and microbial culture before further handling of the fetus using sterile equipment and new examination gloves and placed in separate plastic containers. The necropsy was then completed and tissues sampled for histopathology.

  Specimens for histopathology were sampled from the allantochorion of each horn (midpart) and the body near the cervical star.   If gross lesions were observed, sampling was modified to also include these areas. The umbilical cord was inspected and representative specimens were collected for histopathology if lesions were present.

Histopathology

Specimens of the lung, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, adrenal gland, thymus, skeletal muscle (Musculus semitendinosus), cerebrum, brain stem, cerebellum, umbilical cord, and allantochorion were placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin.

Microbial Culture

Specimens of lung, liver, and allantochorion, as well as a sample of stomach content were collected at necropsy.  the samples were submitted for microbial culture after storage overnight at 5°C .