Hydramnios in Ruminants

Hydramnios is a congenital condition that occurs sporadically in cattle and is characterized by an excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid during the last third of pregnancy. This imbalance is due to an inadequate regulatory mechanism between the production and reabsorption of amniotic fluid by the fetus, during a critical period for both fetal development and maternal health. The main etiology of hydramnios is related to a defective process of amniotic fluid swallowing by the fetus, usually associated with cephalic abnormalities. However, cases have also been described in association with renal dysgenesis or agenesis and other conditions that interfere with normal renal development and impair the ability of the fetus to process amniotic fluid efficiently.