Anatomo-physiological involution of umbilical cord, umbilical hygiene and etiopathogenesis of the umbilical lesions in calves

摘要

Umbilical cord is a fetal structure that provides connection between mother and fetus. It consists of an umbilical vein, two umbilical artery and urachus. Although umbilical lesions are usually sporadic but sometimes enzootic, their clinical appearances change from acute to chronic in terms of the affected umbilical organs. Umbilical hygiene together with anatomo-physiological involution of the umbilical cord should be taken into consideration to prevent contamination of the umbilical cord from the pathogen microorganism. Umbilical lesions have economic losses for farmers. Therefore, this article aims to review umbilical hygiene, anatomo-physiological involution and etiopathogenesis of the umbilical lesions in calves.