International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE www.ijlr.org
Vol 3(3) Sept’13
Diprosopus Monauchenos in a Jersey Cross Calf
Karthik, K.1*, Muneeswaran, S. N.2, Shinde, S.3, Kesavan, M.4, Tamilmahan, P.5, and
Prakash, D.6
Division of Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, U.P India
2&6
Division of Veterinary Virology,
Division of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics,
5
Division of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology.
3& 4
*
Corresponding Author: Karthik_2bvsc@yahoo.co.in
Received date: Jun 13, 2013 03:02; Accepted date: Aug 29, 2013 22:32
Abstract
Congenital disorders are anatomical and physiological disturbances found at birth or usually before
birth. These defects may affect a part of the system or entire system (Noden and DeLahunta, 1985).
Diprosopus dicephalus is a condition in which there is duplication of facial as well as the cranial part
resulting in two complete heads (Hiraga and Dennis, 1993). ‘Diprosopus monauchenos’ which involves
only the duplication of facial parts and the neck remains common, though reported is a rare case (Salami
et al., 2011). Similar case in a jersey crosses calf with diprosopus condition which survived 15 days is
described in this report.
Keywords: Diprosopus, jersey crosses cattle, monauchenos
Case History and Clinical Observation
A full term pregnant jersey crossbred cow in its third parity with history of labour pain last 12
hours was attended in a farm. The cow was alert with good body condition. All parameters were
found to be normal. Vulva was oedematous and vaginal mucus membrane was dry and
congested. Per vaginal examination showed the foetus to be in anterior longitudinal presentation,
dorso-iliac position. The head was not normal, showing two oral cavities. Suckling reflex was
evident showing the calf to be live.With traction a female calf was relieved, revealing the birth of
congenital diprosopus monauchenos calf.The morphological features of the calf revealed duplex
facial structures (Diprosopus) on a single neck (monauchenos). These included four eyes
(tetraophthalmus), two pairs of nostrils and two mouths, each with a tongue. Ears were not
replicated. The medial eyes are not functional and there was no pupillary reflex (Figure 1 and 2).
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oral cavity but suckling reflex was evident in both the oral cavities. Urination, defecation was
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The calf was weak unable to bare its weight. Hand feeding of milk was done through one of the
International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE www.ijlr.org
Vol 3(3) Sept’13
normal. Other physical parameters were also normal. The calf survived 15 days on hand feeding
of milk.
Fig 1: Showing Diprosopus monauchenos calf. Two pinnae visible
Fig 2: Calf showing two fused heads. Medial non functional eyes are noticed
Discussion
Congenital abnormalities are result of arrested development of the different segments of
Mullerian ducts (Jainudeen and Hafez, 2000). Cranial duplications can be either diprosopus or
dicephalus (Roberts, 1986). The exact cause for this kind of anomalies still remains a puzzle;
they are either inherited or caused by environmental teratogen (Dennis and Leipold, 1979).
Congenital head abnormalities involving duplications such as diprosopus, dicephalus and
schisoprosopia occur more frequently in cattle than in sheep and pigs, and are rare in goats
(Hiraga and Dennis, 1993). Similar case of dicephalus monostomus in cross bred cattle has been
already reported by Nakhashi et al., (2006) and Salami et al., (2011). Usually dicephalus calves
will be born dead or die within hours after birth. But in the present case it survived for 15 days.
rise to foetus with partial duplication of body structure (Potter, 1961). Suckling reflex was
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hereditary origin and might have resulted due to abnormal duplication during gestation giving
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Since the cow has delivered normal calves in its previous calving, the condition seem to be non
International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE www.ijlr.org
Vol 3(3) Sept’13
evident in both oral cavities and the eye movements were co-ordinating it can be postulated to
have single brain.
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