title: Monochorial diamniotic dizygotic twins in a German Shepherd Dog: A case report.
abstract: A 6.5-year-old clinically healthy German Shepherd Dog with regular oestrous cycles of 6 months was presented for pregnancy diagnosis on day 38 after ovulation (p.ov.). Ultrasonography revealed three individual placental sites in progressed resorption and two vital adequately developed foetuses sharing a joint placenta. On days 41 and 48 p.ov., sonographic signs indicated normal development of both foetuses, but on day 52 p.ov., both foetuses were found to be dead. A caesarean section was performed the same day. Examination of the removed uterus confirmed the diagnosis of a "twin" pregnancy with two foetuses sharing the same placental site but separate amniotic membranes. One foetus showed generalized oedema (anasarca). Bacterial culture of swabs taken from inside the placental cavity was negative. At histological examination of the uterus, no signs of inflammation were found. Serum relaxin concentrations (day 38, 41, 48 and 52. p.ov.) were consistent with those of bitches with normal pregnancies. Cytogenetic analysis of the two foetuses revealed dizygotic twins, one male and one female according to SRY-PCR. By genotyping 17 high-polymorphic canine microsatellites, it could be demonstrated that the two foetuses developed from two different oocytes.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Reproductive Medicine of Clinics - Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Urhausen
authors.affiliation: Unit of Reproductive Medicine of Clinics - Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Institute for Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beineke
authors.affiliation: Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dierks
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cattle, Laboratory for Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmicke
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Einspanier
authors.affiliation: Unit of Reproductive Medicine of Clinics - Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Günzel-Apel
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000818:Animals; D002823:Chorion; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D012065:Relaxin / Q000097:blood; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D012065:Relaxin
keywords: diamniotic; dizygotic; dog; monochorionic; twin pregnancy; twin-twin transfusion syndrome