Immature (dysmature or premature) Jennet
Keywords: donkey, fetus, premature, equine
Jennys (also spelled "Jennet" from French, but pronounced Jenny) have gestations that are somewhat longer than those in mares. As in mares, gestation length is highly variable but in donkeys it can be as long as 14 months.
This donkey was born dead, in a slightly immature state.
Image size: 1800 x 1213px
If the gestational age can be shown to be significantly shorter than the mean for the species, the condition is correctly referred to as "prematurity". However, if the gestation length is consistent for that species yet the neonate still appears to be immature, the correct term for the condition is "dysmaturity". Because the breeding date was not available it was not possible to determine if this fetus was dysmature.
The signs of immaturity in this foal are indicated by arrows or circles and include its soft, floppy ears, a downy hair coat and its flaccid joints in the distal extremities, allowing hyperextension at the fetlock joints. In equids, the testicles have usually descended by birth. In this cases however, the testicles were still within the inguinal canal, the scrotum being filled predominantly by the gubernaculum.
Note: the image also shows the amnion with both intra- and extra-amnionic sections of the umbilical cord
