Bovine Reproduction Flashcards
How many follicular waves does the average cow have in a follicular cycle?
2-3
What is luteolysis determined by?
Prostaglandin receptors
What does AI success depend on?
Reliable oestrus detection
Use of fertile/proven sires
Is it better to inseminate too early or too late?
Too early
How many sperm are there in a straw?
12 million
When does endometritis tend to occur?
21 days + post-calving
When does metritis tend to occur?
Up to 21 days post-calving
Give some differentials for vulval discharge in a cow
Pyelonephritis RFM Endometritis Metritis Cystitis Vaginitis
How would you diagnose pyelonephritis in a cow with vulval discharge?
Catheterisation of bladder
Palpate kidneys per rectum (will be painful if inflamed)
Which antibiotics tend to concentrate in the urine?
Give a condition this could be used for
Penicillin (hence useful for pyelonephritis)
Why is it worth cleaning a cows tail when investigating vulval discharge?
So you can identify any further discharge
If not, can’t tell whether discharge is new or old
How can you administer tetracyclines?
Liquid suspension (injection) Tablets to be inserted into the uterus (pessaries) (milk withhold of 4 days)
Do 1st gen cephalosporins have a milk withhold?
No
Why may iodine be used in cases of vulvular discharge?
Releases prostaglandin from uterus
What are the 4 stages in the follicular cycle?
Emergence -> selection -> dominance -> atresia
What do the umbilical arteries become in calves?
Lateral ligaments of bladder
What does the umbilical vein become in calves?
Round ligament of liver
What does the urachus become in calves?
Median umbilical ligament
Where does the umbilical vein lead to in calves?
Liver
What should you check when diagnosing umbilical swelling in calves?
Suck reflex Joint ill Spread/source of infection Lungs CNS
If an umbilical swelling in a calf is reducible into the abdomen what kind of hernia is it?
Simple hernia
If an umbilical swelling in a calf is partially reducible into the abdomen, what kind of hernia is it?
Hernia and abscess
If an umbilical swelling in a calf is irreducible into the abdomen what kind of hernia is it?
Abscess
Hernia complicated by incarceration/strangulation/adhesions
What would a pitting oedema signify in a calf with an umbilical hernia?
Urolithiasis (bladder stones) and urethral rupture
How can you identify discharging tracts in a calf with umbilical hernia?
Pass a blunt probe (eg bitch urinary catheter) to see which direction it goes/how far etc
Inject radio-opaque contrast medium and take radiographs with US
What is fibrinogen an indicator of?
Chronic inflammation
What is the usual cause of simple hernias in calves?
Genetic
How big must a simple umbilical hernia be for you to perform surgery?
Larger than one finger diameter
How should a calf be treated after umbilical hernia surgery?
Must have minimum 1 month box rest and not be turned out for 3 months after surgery to avoid wound breakdown
Add calf to a group of smaller animals to prevent bullying
What sedative should you use when performing surgery on a calf with a simple umbilical hernia?
Xylazine
What local anaesthetic should you use when performing surgery on a calf with a simple umbilical hernia?
Procaine
Which incision should you make when performing surgery on a calf with a simple umbilical hernia?
Elliptical incision
Describe the surgical approach to surgery on a calf with a simple umbilical hernia
Dissect down the edges of the hernia ring using Metzenbaum dissection scissors to free the peritoneum
Hernial sac will fall back into the abdomen, allowing the edges to be drawn together
(Do not open sac unless incarcerated/adhesions)
What is the cause of an infected umbilicus/abscess outside the body wall in a calf with umbilical hernia?
A.Pyogenes or E.Coli
How would you treat an infected umbilicus/abscess outside the body wall in a calf with umbilical hernia?
Antibiotics eg amoxicillin +/- open abscess cavity and flush with saline/disinfectants twice daily
Need several weeks treatment to prevent recurrence
How would you treat a patent/infected urachus in a calf with an umbilical hernia?
Flush and give antibiotics
May require surgery to remove urachus and infected umbilical arteries 1 or 2 stage process
How would you treat an infected umbilical vein in a calf with an umbilical hernia?
If doesn’t extend to liver, treat as for urachus (flush/antibiotics/surgery)
If tracks to liver, can try surgery if no systemic signs-partial hepatectomy
Maruspialisation of vein out of body wall to drain abscess
Poor prognosis
Give some complications of umbilical hernia surgery in calves
Seroma
Re-herniation
Infection
Why might a cow not have come into oestrus?
- Cysts
- Persistent CL
- Nutritional anoestrus (NEB)
- Cycling but oestrus not observed/no behavioural changes
What would it mean if you found the following when doing a vaginal exam:
- Pus
- Clear mucous
- Blood
- Pus: endometritis
- Clear mucous: oestrus
- Blood: metoestrus
How big is a follicular cyst?
25mm+ diameter
Give the 2 types of commercial prostaglandin
- Estrumate (GnRH analogue; Cloprostomol)
- Dinoprost (synthetic)
Where are prostaglandin drugs metabolised?
Give a possible side effect
- Lungs
- Asthma, Blackleg
How soon after calving does the first follicular wave occur?
5-10 days
How would you describe the nature of the first ovulation after calving?
Silent
How long does oestrus last (ie how long will a cow stand to be mounted)?
12 hours
Give some signs of a cow in oestrus
- Standing to be mounted (best indicator)
- Chin resting
- Licking
- Bunting
- Mounting head to head
- Sniffing vulva
What could you recommend to a farmer to be able to tell whether or not a cow is in heat?
- Pain/chalk/ Kamar (changes colour when mounted by another cow)
- Pedometers
- Record keeping
- Teaser bull
- Monitor progesterone
How long does the oestrus cycle last?
18-24 days
How long does it take for involution of the uterus to occur after calving?
3-4 weeks
What stimulates the first follicular wave post-calving?
Increase in FSH
How long after calving does the first oestrus occur?
2-3 weeks (unless ill/NEB)
Give some negative factors for using natural service over AI
- Lack of genetic variation
- Potential for injury to both cow and bull