Cows do have umbilical cords; like all placental mammals, a developing calf is connected to its mother’s placenta by a cord. This temporary structure, often called the funiculus umbilicalis, is the sole physical and physiological connection between the cow and the growing fetus during gestation. It is the conduit that allows for the transfer of everything the calf needs to survive and develop until the moment of birth.
The Anatomy of the Umbilical Cord
The bovine umbilical cord is a complex structure engineered for transport and protection. Within the core of the cord are three primary vascular structures: two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein. These vessels are responsible for the blood flow between the fetal circulation and the placenta.
Alongside the blood vessels runs the urachus, a tube connecting the fetal urinary bladder to the allantoic sac. All these internal structures are embedded within a protective, gelatinous connective tissue known as Wharton’s jelly. This jelly acts as a cushion, shielding the delicate vessels from compression or damage.
Function During Fetal Development
The umbilical cord functions as the calf’s lifeline, facilitating a continuous two-way exchange with the mother’s placenta. The single umbilical vein carries highly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood directly from the placenta into the developing calf’s body. This blood contains all the necessary sugars, proteins, and oxygen required for growth and metabolism.
Conversely, the two umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood and metabolic waste products away from the calf. These waste materials are transported back to the placenta, where they are transferred into the cow’s bloodstream for elimination. The urachus provides an additional route for liquid waste, sustaining the calf throughout the entire nine-month gestation period.
Post-Birth Separation and Navel Healing
The umbilical cord typically severs naturally as the calf is born or shortly after, either by the mother’s movement or when the calf attempts to stand. This natural breakage leaves a short, dangling remnant, often referred to as the navel stump. The internal vessels and the urachus begin to shut down and retract into the calf’s abdomen, starting the process of becoming internal ligaments.
Because the freshly broken cord leaves an open, wet pathway directly into the calf’s bloodstream, it is highly susceptible to bacterial invasion from the environment. This vulnerability makes immediate care a necessary practice in livestock management to prevent navel ill, or omphalitis.
The standard procedure is to dip the stump as soon as possible with a strong antiseptic solution, such as 7% tincture of iodine or 4% chlorhexidine. This practice serves the dual purpose of disinfecting the open tissue and promoting the drying and hardening of the cord. Failure to apply proper care can lead to localized infections, which may progress to serious conditions like joint ill or sepsis.