Abnormalities and infertility in females Flashcards
What is the common age of puberty in bitches?
* 6 to 12 months
* 12 to 18 months
* 18 to 24 months
* 6 to 24 months
- 6 to 24 months
Normal puberty variable between 6 and 24 months
Small breeds earlier than larger breeds
Other effects e.g. working dogs, administration of androgens to prevent oestrus
What is the normal oestrus cycle length?
P = Proestrus O = Oestrus, L = Luteal, A = Anoestrus
* P3d, O1d, L17d, A45d
* P7d, O7d, L35d, A100d
* P10d, O10d, L70d, A150d
* P12d, 012d, L140d, A200d
- P10d, O10d, L70d, A150d
Total cycle about 7 months
Which of the following would indicate that a cycle had been missed?
* Progesterone will be elevated for 70d
* There may be mammary enlargement
* There may be lactation
* The may be behaviour typical of pseudopregnancy
- Progesterone will be elevated for 70d
All of these are possibilities but the measurement of progesterone is most reliable
What is primary anoestrus? How should it be approached in clinic for a bitch?
Bitch has never cycled
Approach
* On presentation collect relevant history (age, exogenous steroid use)
* Clinical exam for signs systemic disease
* Clinical exam for signs of masculinisation (clitoral enlargement)
* Consider tests to see if cycle has been missed (progesterone or clinical exam)
* If bitch is less than 24 months consider waiting until 24 months
* At 24 months consider establishing Karyotype
* At 24 months consider attempting oestrus induction using cabergoline (Galastop) (a response will tell you if there is ovarian tissue)
What is secondary anoestrus? How should it be approached in clinic for a bitch?
- Bitch has passed through puberty then fails to return to oestrus at expected interval
- Commonly associated with failure of observation
◦ Detected as for delayed puberty - May be normal for Basenji to cycle every 12 months
- Occasionally related to:
◦ Systemic disease
◦ Drug-induced (corticosteroids, progestogens)
Approach
* If clinically well and > 12 months since last oestrus consider oestrus-induction (e.g. with Cabergoline [Galastop])
What are causes of primary and secondary anoestrus in the queen?
Primary Anoestrus
* Puberty doesn’t occur as expected
* NB first oestrus between 6 to 10 months of age
* But influenced by season of birth
* And body weight / condition score
* Puberty frequently occurs during the spring
* If no oestrus behaviour after age 10 months and it is spring then investigate as for bitch
Secondary Anoestrus
* Most commonly associated with inadequate lighting regimes in cattery housed queens (14h light abolishes anoestrus
* May also occur as seen in the bitch with systemic disease or drug-induced supression (corticosteroids, progestogens)
If there is ovulation failure which two of the following outcomes might occur?
* Signs of oestrus would stop abruptly
* Oestrus signs might persist as follicles wane away slowly
* There will be no return to oestrus
* There will be a more rapid return to oestrus as there is no luteal phase
- Oestrus signs might persist as follicles wane away slowly
- There will be a more rapid return to oestrus as there is no luteal phase
Persistent or prolonged oestrus is a common problem at puberty
A rapid return to oestrus is common when there is no ovulation
What are reasons for ovulation failure in the queen?
- Remember queen is an induced ovulator
- Each copulation causes a release of LH BUT;
◦ < 50% of queens ovulate following a single mating
◦ >90% of queens ovulate if mated 3 times at 4 hour intervals - Thus ensure that multiple matings occur on day 2 or 3 of oestrus
- Or consider induction of ovulation with a single injection of 500 IU/cat hCG on day 1 of oestrus
- Queens that don’t ovulate return to oestrus after 2-3 weeks whereas those which ovulate have a 45 day luteal phase
- Important to know how long between oestrus cycles (2-3 weeks means she’s not ovulating if it’s 45-50 days she’s ovulating but cannot get pregnant)
What are causes of signs of persistent oestrus?
- Failure to ovulate (pubertal animal)
- Follicular cysts (rare in the bitch)
- Follicular neoplasia (rare in the bitch)
- Adrenal neoplasia (rare in the bitch)
What is the anatomical site of the fusion of the Mullerian Ducts with the Urogenital Sinus?
* Uterine tube / uterus
* Uterus / vagina
* Vagina / vestibule
* Vestibule / labia
- Vagina / vestibule
Vestibule-vaginal junction is the site of the majority of abnormalities
What causes pain at coitus due to vestibulo-vaginal remnants, and how is it treated?
Cause: Remnant tissue at the junction of the vestibule and vagina.
Treatment: Transection (episiotomy).
What is vaginal hyperplasia, and how is it treated?
Cause: Exaggerated vaginal wall response to oestrogen during oestrus.
Signs: Mass at vulva during oestrus, pain at coitus.
Treatment: Conservative (disappears post-oestrus), surgical resection, ovariohysterectomy for prevention.
What are the causes of failure to mate in female animals?
Causes: Incorrect mating time, inexperience, pain at coitus, size differences, bad experiences.
Diagnosis: Careful history and observation needed.
What causes failure to mate in male animals?
Causes: Inexperience, inadequate libido, musculoskeletal pain, penile abnormalities, erection failure.
Diagnosis: Observation and history.
What are the common causes of infertility in bitches and queens?
Bitch: Inappropriate mating time, male factor infertility, abnormal uterine environment, infections.
Queen: Incorrect mating time, insufficient matings.
