Bovine reproduction Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of fertility?

A

The ability of a cow to give birth to a live calf at approximately 12 month intervals

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2
Q

What is the definition of sterility?

A

The total inability of a cow to become pregnant/give birth to a live calf

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3
Q

What is infertility/subfertility?

A

Cow can become pregnant and give birth to a live calf but the interval may be longer than 12 months

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4
Q

What are some main reproductive difficulties?

A
Failure to cycle
Failure to be mated
Failure to conceive
Dystocia
Stillbirths
Neonatal mortality
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5
Q

What are the two things that can happen to a follicle?

A

Ovulates or atreses

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6
Q

How long is a normal cow oestrous cycle?

A

21 days

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7
Q

What is a normal post partum cyclicity pattern?

A

3 weeks post partum - small rise in progesterone due to an short lived corpus luteum
Then goes into a normal 3 week cycle

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8
Q

What other post partum cyclicity patterns are there?

A

Long anoestrus - suckling calf

Persistent luteal phase - abnormal

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9
Q

What is involution of the uterus?

A

Repairing the uterus

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10
Q

How long do you have to get the cow back pregnant for the 12 month cycle?

A

85 days

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11
Q

When is puberty in heifers?

A

7-18 months

35-40% of mature body weight

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12
Q

What is the age that cows are first served?

A

14-22 months

Best to calve at 2 years

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13
Q

What is the average duration of oestrus?

A

6 hrs

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14
Q

How and when do cows ovulate?

A

Spontaneously 9-15hrs after the end of standing oestrus

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15
Q

When is it best to inseminate a cow?

A

6 hrs

At mid oestrus

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16
Q

What is a common cause of poor reproductive performance?

A

Poor oestrus detection

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17
Q

What are the most reliable signs of oestrus?

A

Standing to be mounted

Mounting the head and neck of other cows

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18
Q

When is the first post partum oestrus?

A

15-30 days after calving

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19
Q

What is the first post partum oestrus like?

A

Behavioural oestrus is absent bcos brain needs to be primed with progesterone

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20
Q

What should the BCS be at calving?

A

3 so it doesnt drop below 2.5 at service

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21
Q

What is the average length of gestation?

A

285 days

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22
Q

How long is the gestation period to be considered abortion?

A

Shorter than 270 days

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23
Q

Why should you perform a breeding soundness exam on a bull?

A

Can cause major financial impact on a farm

Welfare

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24
Q

When should you perform a breeding soundness exam?

A

Pre purchase
Pre breeding season
For an infertility investigation

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25
Q

What are the steps of a breeding soundness exam?

A
Take history
Clinical exam
Semen collection/evaluation
Test mating
Prognosis
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26
Q

What are the 4 different categories of inability to mate?

A

Good libido but hesitant about mounting
Failure to exteriorise penis
Penis exteriorised but no intromission
Intromission but no thrusting

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27
Q

What can cause no thrusting?

A

Damage to the dorsal nerve of the penis - dont know penis is in vagina

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28
Q

How can you examine the penis safely without causing damage?

A

Xylazine - relax retractor penis muscle

Before/after mating - deviate to one side and look

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29
Q

What is the most common traumatic condition of the bovine penis?

A

Penile haematoma

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30
Q

What can cause penile haematoma?

A

Sudden angulation of penis/miss thrust

Tears tunica albuginea of corpus cavernosum at sigmoid flexure

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31
Q

What are the signs of penile haematoma?

A

Swelling cranial to scrotum

reluctance to serve, cant extrude penis

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32
Q

What is a complication of penile haematoma?

A

Abscessation
Damage to dorsal nerve of penis
Cant raise blood pressure in penis and get erection

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33
Q

What occurs to the penis normally during intromission?

A

Deviates ventrally and to the right

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34
Q

What is the main sign of spiral deviation of the penis?

A

Failure to extrude penis

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35
Q

What is phimosis?

A

Stricture of the preputial orifice

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36
Q

What does phimosis cause?

A

Failure to extrude the penis

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37
Q

What can cause phimosis?

A

Injury or infection

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38
Q

What is paraphimosis?

A

Can get the penis out of the prepuce but cant withdraw it

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39
Q

What does paraphimosis lead to?

A

Strangulation

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40
Q

What is balanoposthitis?

A

Inflammation of the penis and prepuce

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41
Q

What can cause balanoposthitis?

A

Infection
Trauma
BHV 1
Mycoplasma

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42
Q

What is the name of warts on the penis?

A

Fibropapilloma

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43
Q

What are signs or papilloma?

A

Bleeding at service
Pain at intromission
Phimosis/paraphimosis

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44
Q

What is impotence?

A

Cant get an erection

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45
Q

What are the two reasons for impotence?

A

Shunt for the blood

Blockage of proximal penis

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46
Q

What are some causes of impotence?

A

Congenitally large veins draining penis
Traumatic injury
Blockage by fibrous tissue/thrombus/haematoma

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47
Q

How do you assess the musculoskeletal system of bull?

A

Observe gait and posture
Lameness
Conformation

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48
Q

What change to the testes can cause infertility?

A

If held high/too close to body they will be too hot

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49
Q

What should testes be?

A

Similar in size
Round
Not too close to body
Symmetrical

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50
Q

What can cause testicular hypoplasia?

A

Inherited defect

XXY chromosome

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51
Q

What is a feature of testicular degeneration?

A

Failure of spermatogenesis

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52
Q

What can cause testicular degeneration?

A

Systemic infection
Trauma
Hot/cold
Autoimmunity

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53
Q

What are the 4 main causes of an enlarged testicle?

A

Orchitis
Abcess
Haematoma
Neoplasia

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54
Q

What can cause orchitis?

A

Wound
Ascending infection
Truporella pyogenes

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55
Q

What are the main features of orchitis?

A

Usually unilateral

Often accompanied by periorchitis/epididymitis

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56
Q

What is epididymal occlusion?

A

Blocked epididymis

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57
Q

What can epididymal occlusion cause?

A

Spermatocoele - cystic dilation
Sperm granuloma after rupture of epididymal wall
Testicular degeneration

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58
Q

What is seminal vesiculitis?

A

Normal penis and testes but abnormal ejaculate with not enough seminal fluid

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59
Q

What are the signs of acute seminal vesiculitis?

A

Severe pain
Purulent discharge
Pus in semen
Enlarged

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60
Q

What are the signs of chronic seminal vesiculitis?

A

Pus in semen
Fibrosis
Loss of lobulations
No pain

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61
Q

How do you collect semen?

A

Electroejaculation
Artificial vagina
Massage ampulla per rectum

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62
Q

What should you assess in semen evaluation?

A
Volume
Colour
Wave motion
Motility - linear
Live:dead ratio
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63
Q

What does semen evaluation show?

A

Potential to sire calves

Only true test is calves on the ground

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64
Q

How do you sex sperm?

A

Sort using flow cytometry - female sperm contain more DNA than male

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65
Q

What is the definition of abortion?

A

Production of one or more calves less than 271 days after service/AI
They are dead or alive for less than 24 hours

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66
Q

When is the level of abortion frequency an issue?

A

When it exceeds 3-5%

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67
Q

How are infectious agents of abortion classified?

A

Sexually transmitted
Non sexually transmitted
Primary - act directly on the repro tract
Secondary - cause systemic disease

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68
Q

What action should be taken following abortion?

A

Must report to DEFRA (not all investigated tho)

Isolate cow and calf

69
Q

What are the main causes of viral infectious abortion?

A

BVD
BHV-1
Schmallenberg virus

70
Q

What are the main bacterial causes of infectious abortion?

A
Bacillus licheniformis 
Lepto
Salmonella
Campylobacter fetus venerealis
Mycoplasma
Coxiella burnetii (Q fever)
71
Q

What protozoa can cause infectious abortion?

A

Neospora caninum

72
Q

What are 3 reasons that cause of abortion cant be identified?

A

Cause occured much earlier
Foetus retained for a while
Foetal membranes not available

73
Q

What are the most common causes of infectious abortion?

A
Bacillus licheniformis
Neospora caninum
Trueperella pyogenes
Schmallenberg
aspergillus fumigatus
Salmonella dublin
Bovine viral diarrhoea
Listeria
74
Q

How can BHV-1 be transmitted?

A

Venereally

75
Q

What are the main features of leptospirosis?

A

Abortion
Infertility
Milk drop
Zoonotic - flu-like

76
Q

When should you vaccinate against lepto?

A

Turnout at spring

With antibiotics to remove infection

77
Q

How do you diagnose salmonella abortion?

A

Cotelydons/foetal stomach contents

78
Q

Where is bacillus licheniformis found?

A

Mouldy hay, silage

79
Q

How is bacillus licheniformis diagnosed?

A

Gross appearance of placenta, isolate

80
Q

How is campylobacter foetus transmitted?

A

Venereally from bull

81
Q

How is campylobacter foetus diagnosed/noticed?

A

Repeat breeders
Vaginal microscopic agglutination
Semen exam

82
Q

How is campylobacter treated?

A

Antibiotics

Penile irrigation

83
Q

What is the main sign of mycoplasmosis?

A

Granular vulvovaginitis

Abortion

84
Q

What are the clinical signs of Chlamydophila psittaci?

A

Early embryonic death

Abortion in late pregnancy

85
Q

How is brucella transmitted?

A

Ingestion - most common

Venereally

86
Q

What can brucella cause?

A

Abortion storms

87
Q

What must be done when diagnosing brucella?

A

Report to DEFRA

Take swabs

88
Q

How is brucella controlled?

A

Monthly bulk milk test

89
Q

What is the most common cause of mycotic abortion?

A

Aspergillus

90
Q

What are signs of mycotic abortion?

A

Placentitis/endometritis

Retained placenta

91
Q

How is neospora transmitted?

A

Dog to cow

Vertically - cow to calf

92
Q

What does neospora cause?

A

Midterm abortion and mummification

93
Q

How do you control neospora?

A

Cull infected cattle

Restrict dog access

94
Q

What is trichomoniasis?

A

Protozoa

95
Q

How is trichomonas transmitted? How can it be controlled?

A

Venereally

AI

96
Q

What are some non infectious causes of abortion?

A
Genetic, 
twin pregnancy, 
stress, 
nutritional deficiency, 
hypothyroidism, 
drug induced - PROSTAGLANDINS
97
Q

What counts as early embryonic death?

A

Dies before day 15

Repeat breeders

98
Q

What counts as late embryonic death?

A

Embryo dies between days 15 and 42

Irregular oestrus interval

99
Q

What counts as foetal death?

A

Between day 43 and term

100
Q

What can foetal death cause?

A

resorption, abortion, mummification, maceration

101
Q

What occurs during foetal mummification?

A

Foestus dies and dehydrates
CL persists
Pseudopregnant, doesnt calve at expected time
No udder development

102
Q

How do you treat foetal mummification?

A

PGF2a - to induce oestrus

103
Q

What is foetal maceration?

A

Incomplete process of abortion

104
Q

When does foetal maceration occur?

A

Occurs after third month of gestation

105
Q

What occurs during foetal maceration?

A

Partial dilation of cervix
Allows bacteria in
Bacteria break down foetal soft tissues and leave bones

106
Q

How is foetal maceration treated?

A

Usually culled

May be able to surgically remove

107
Q

What is hydrops?

A

Excessive accumulation of foetal fluids

108
Q

What is hydramnios?

A

Failure of swallowing of foetal fluids by the foetus causing hydrops

109
Q

What is hydrallantois?

A

Failure of the selective resorption of elecrtolytes from allantois causing hydrops

110
Q

How do you treat hydrops/hydrallantois?

A

PGF2a - induce abortion

May need c section

111
Q

What can cause uterine rupture?

A

Mismanagement of dystocia

112
Q

What are the signs of uterine rupture?

A

cessation of labour, shock, pain, haemorrhage

113
Q

What can cause vaginal prolapse?

A

Breed
Overfeeding
Lack of exercise

114
Q

How do you treat vaginal prolapse?

A

Epidural

Purse string suture

115
Q

How is foetal maceration treated?

A

Usually culled

May be able to surgically remove

116
Q

What are some signs of impending calving?

A

Increased udder development
Relaxation of pelvic ligaments, perineum and vulva
Oedema of ventral abdominal wall

117
Q

What hormone is produced by the hypothalamus during parturition?

A

Corticotrophin releasing factor CRF

118
Q

What hormone is produced by the pituitary grand during parturition?

A

Adrenocorticotrophin hormone

119
Q

What hormone is produced by the adrenal grand during parturition?

A

Cortisol

120
Q

What hormone is produced by the placenta during parturition?

A

Oestrogen
Prostaglandin
Some progesterone

121
Q

What causes increase in oxytocin production from the pituitary gland during parturition?

A

Increased pressure on cervix and vagina from increased contractions

122
Q

What are the two biggest causes of dystocia?

A

Foetopelvic disproportion - big calf small heifer

Foetal disposition

123
Q

What are the signs of the second stage of parturition?

A

Rupture of allantochorion – allantoic fluid escapes

124
Q

What are the signs of the third stage of parturition?

A

Uterine contractions
Placental detachment
Umbilical rupture Cotyledon detachment

125
Q

When in gestation can parturition be induced in cows?

A

After 260 days of gestation

126
Q

What drugs should you use to induce calving before 100 days of gestation?

A

PGF2a

127
Q

What drugs should you use to induce calving 250-275 days into gestation?

A

Corticosteroid

128
Q

What drugs should you use to induce calving after 275 days of gestation?

A

Corticosteroid plus PGF2a

129
Q

How can you treat vaginal/uterine tears?

A

Clamp and stitch

Slaughter maybe

130
Q

What does clenbuterol do?

A

Relaxes uterus at parturition

Help with dystocia/C section etc.

131
Q

What can you give to aid with intense straining during dystocia?

A

Epidural

132
Q

What is a foetotomy?

A

Removal of body parts via a saw which hindered the expulsion of the foetus

133
Q

Which breeds have a disposition for uterine torsion?

A

Brown swiss and hostein

134
Q

What is the most common uterine torsion?

A

90 degrees

135
Q

How do you treat uterine torsion?

A

Rock calf as cow is standing, C-section, laparotomy

136
Q

How do you treat post partum haemorrhage of uterus/vagina/placenta?

A

Ligate
Clamp
Pack
Oxytocin

137
Q

What is uterine prolapse associated with?

A

Prolonged parturition

Hypocalcaemia

138
Q

How can you treat uterine prolapse?

A
IV Ca2+
Epidural
Invert uterus
NSAIDs
Oxytocin
Suture vulva
139
Q

What does gluteal nerve paralysis cause?

A

weak hindlimbs

140
Q

What does obturator nerve paralysis cause?

A

Splay laterally

141
Q

What is lochia?

A

Post partum discharge
Sloughing of tissue from caruncles
Reddish brown and odourless

142
Q

What are the common bacteria that invade the uterus post partum when the cervix is still open?

A

T pyogenes
E coli
Staphs and streps

143
Q

What can bacterial invasion of the uterus cause?

A

Acute metritis

Chronic endometritis

144
Q

How can bacterial invasion of the uterus affect fertility?

A

killing conceptus, alter uterine milk, endometritis, delay onset of ovarian cyclicity

145
Q

What is acute metritis?

A

Bacterial infection following dystocia

Associated with retained placenta

146
Q

How do you treat acute metritis?

A

Broad spectrum antibiotic
IV fluids
NSAIDS

147
Q

What is endometritis?

A

Inflammation of the endometrium

148
Q

How does endometritis present?

A

Mucopurulent vaginal discharge - whites

149
Q

When does endometritis present ?

A

21 days or mroe after calving

150
Q

How can you treat endometritis?

A

PGF2a - return to oestrus, terminate CL
Intrauterine antibiotics
Saline washout

151
Q

How can you diagnose pyometra in cows?

A

Ultrasound - thick uterine wall

152
Q

What antibiotic do you give for endometritis?

A

Metricure - cephapirin/cephalosporin

153
Q

What are retained foetal membranes? How long are they retained for?

A

Partial or complete retention beyond 12 hours post partum

154
Q

What causes retained foetal membranes?

A

Failure of normal separation of foetal cotyledonary villi from maternal caruncles

155
Q

What can predispose to retained foetal membranes?

A

premature parturition, placentitis, uterine inertia

156
Q

What can retained foetal membranes cause?

A

Acute metritis

May just cause spontaneous expulsion

157
Q

How can you treat retained foetal membranes ?

A

Antibiotics - Oxytetracycline

Manual removal - not ideal

158
Q

What is a cystic follicle in cystic ovarian disease?

A

Persistent anovulatory follicle like structure

159
Q

What are features of a follicular cyst?

A

Thin walled

Non progesterone producing - irregular/oestrous behaviour or anoestrus

160
Q

What are features of a luteal cyst?

A

Thicker walled

Progesterone producing - anoestrus

161
Q

How can you treat cystic ovarian disease?

A

GnRH/hCG - mimic LH surge to lutenise the structure

PGF2a

162
Q

What is false anoestrus?

A

Oestrus not observed/detected

163
Q

What is true anoestrus?

A

Interference with GnRH/LH

164
Q

What can cause anoestrus?

A
Inadequate energy intake
Suckling
Delayed uterine involution
Cystic ovarian disease
Persistant CL
165
Q

How can you treat anoestrus?

A

PG injection

CIDR or PRID plus PGF2a - mimic CL, then remove

166
Q

What hormone treatments will enhance fertility?

A

GnRH holding injection
Chorionic gonadotrophin
PRID/CIDR - then remove
All at day 12

167
Q

What is a repeat breeder cow?

A

Cow that fails to become pregnant following 3 or more consecutive services at normal interoestrus intervals

168
Q

What causes repeat breeders?

A

Failure of fertilisation

Early embryonic death

169
Q

How do you treat repeat breeders?

A

Improve condition

Holding injection