Anatomy and examination techniques of the genital tract of the cow

Question 1

Anatomy of the reproductive tract

The reproductive tract in cows

Answer 1

• It is situated in the pelvis.
• It is separated from the rectum by the rectogenital pouch
• Reproductive organs: ovaries, oviducts, uterus (horns, bifurcation, body), cervix, vagina,
hymen (vestibulovaginal sphincter), vestibulum, vulva.

Question 2

Anatomy of the reproductive tract

Position of the reproductive tract in cattle

Answer 2

• Non-pregnant animals:
o Heifers: pelvic cavity
o Cows: depends on age and breed
▪ Younger animals: sometimes completely in the pelvic cavity
▪ Older animals: uterus and the more cranial organs, sometimes even the cranial
part of the cervix in the abdominal cavity
• Pregnant animals:
o Pelvic or abdominal cavity, depending on the age and size of the fetus

Question 3

Anatomy of the reproductive tract

Suspension of the reproductive tract

Answer 3

• Ligamentum latum uteri
• Extension of the peritoneum
• Parts:
    o Mesovarium
    o Mesosalpinx: bursa 
    o Mesometrium

Question 4

Anatomy of the reproductive tract

Histological structure of the reproductive tract

Answer 4

1. Serosa (+subserosa): one layer
2. Muscles:
   • Outer longitudinal
   • Inner circular
3. Submucosa:
   • Blood vessels, nerves
   • Connective tissue
4. Mucosa: epithelium (endometrial glands)

Question 5

Anatomy of the reproductive tract

others need to know

Answer 5

Cross-section of the reproductive tract
Reproductive organs of the cow
Reproductive organs – dorsal view
X-ray of the reproductive tract
Anatomy of the ovaries
Anatomy of the cervix

Question 6

Anatomy of the reproductive tract

Anatomy of the uterus

Answer 6

• Parts of the uterus:
o Horns
o Bifurcation
o Body
• The uterus bends ventrally into the abdominal cavity in a ramhorn shape in ruminants.
• The uterine horns are connected at the bifurcation by the ligamentum intercornuale.

Question 7

Anatomy of the reproductive tract

Anatomy of the vagina and vestibulum

Answer 7

• The vagina widens around the outer os of the cervix (fornix vaginae). It is separated from the vestibulum by the hymen, then, after the first service, the vestibulovaginal sphincter.
• The vestibulum is the common canal of the urinary and the reproductive tract. There is a
suburethral diverticulum under the opening of the urethra (bladder catheterisation!).

Question 8

Examination techniques

Techniques suitable for the examination of the reproductive tract

Answer 8

• From the overies to the outer cervical os:
    o Rectal palpation
    o Rectal ultrasonography (linear transducer, 5-7,5 MHz) 
    o (hormonal tests)
    o Sample collection
• Caudal to the outer cervical os: 
    o vaginal palpation
    o vaginoscopy
    o sample collection

Question 9

Examination techniques

Conditions of rectal palpation and ultrasonography

Answer 9

• Appropriate clothing and equipment
• Accident prevention
• Hygiene

Question 10

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the ovaries

Examination of the ovaries

Answer 10

• Goals:
o Cycle diagnostics (heat induction and synchronisation)
o Heat detection
o Finding pathological structures

Question 11

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the ovaries

Physiological structures on the ovaries

Answer 11

• Follicles:
o Primary and secondary– cannot be examined
o Anthral (tertiary) follicle: visible on the ultrasound, usually not
palpable
o Dominant follicle:
▪ fluid-filled structure palpable and visible on the ultrasound
▪ size: 1-2 cm
▪ US: thin-walled, black, circular or oval structure

Question 12

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the ovaries

Physiological structures on the ovaries

Answer 12

• Corpus luteum:
o Corpus haemorrhagicum and early corpus luteum can only be diagnosed by
ultrasound
o Mature corpus luteum:
▪ Can be easily detected by palpation or ultrasound, „crown” of the corpus luteum can be felt on the surface of the ovary.
▪ Size: min. 2 cm
▪ US: round, echodense (gray)
o Regressive corpus luteum:
▪ visible on the ultrasound, can be palpated by experienced examiners

Question 13

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the ovaries

Acyclia

Answer 13

• No structure is palpable, tertiary follicles are visible on the ultrasound

Question 14

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the ovaries

Pathological structures on the ovaries

Answer 14

• Cysts:
o fluid-filled structures persistently present on the ovaries.
o In practice any structure that is larger than 2.5 cm and/or present during
multiple examinations
o Types:
▪ Follicular theca cyst: non-ovulatory follicle, thin-walled, tense, easy to burst
▪ Follicular lutein cyst: partially luteinised, but ovulated follicle, wall is thicker than in follicular theca cyst

Question 15

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the ovaries

Cavitary corpus luteum

Answer 15

• A cavity is visible on the ultrasound in the corpus luteum.
• This cavity can change in size during the lifetime of the corpus luteum, it
can even disappear completely.
• Nutritional factors are suspected in the background.
• There is no consensus whether it is physiological or pathological.

Question 16

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the uterus

Goals of rectal palpation and ultrasound

Answer 16

• Pregnancy check
• Diagnosis of uterine pathologies:
    o Metritis/endometritis o Adhesions
    o Abscess
    o Neoplasia
    o mummified or macerated fetus

Question 17

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the uterus

Uterine horn

Answer 17

Normal

diameter: 2.5 cm (U1) - soft in diostreus
diameter: 2.5-4 cm (U1) 

Slightly enlarged
diameter: 5 cm (U2)

Question 18

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the uterus

Examination of the uterine horns in estrus

Answer 18

• When in estrus, uterine horns become rigid due to edema caused by estrogen, and there is a small amount of clear fluid (US: black) in the lumen. A cross-section of the uterine horn in estrus is star- shaped.
• Uterine fluid can be seen flowing from the vulva (sign of heat).

Question 19

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the uterus

Pregnancy check

Answer 19

• Fluctuation:
    o Fluid in the uterine lumen
    o Safe and precise on Day 35 to 70 
    o (US: from Day 25 (28) )
• Palpation of the amnion:
    o We palpate the amnion itself in the fluid-filled lumen 
    o Foetal mortality 
• Membrane slip:
    o we slip the foetal membranes between our fingers when palpating the 
    o fluid-filled uterine horn
    o Foetal mortality 

Question 20

Examination techniques

Rectal examination of the uterus

Rectal examination

Answer 20

• Advantages:
o simple and economical (purchasing an ultrasound is expensive, but the reproductive efficiency usually increases)
o real-time diagnosis
o treatments can be chosen quickly if needed
o Rectal examination
• Disadvantages:
o Experience
o early pregnancy check – fetal mortality ???? o animal welfare ????