Bovine Therio: Pregnancy and Pregnancy Complications

Question 1

Breeding management: natural service with beef cattle

Answer 1

Bull selection (breeding soundness)
Bull: Cow ratio: 1:15, 1:25
Breeding season 42d in heifers, 65d in cows

Question 2

AM-PM rule for AI

Answer 2

To get the best conception rate: any cow seen in estrus in the afternoon, will be bred the following day
Any cow in heat in the morning, will be bred in the afternoon

Question 3

Why is the AM-PM rule used

Answer 3

To find a compromise between longevity (life of sperm) and age of egg
Too early: ↓ sperm life, # of sperm
Too late: aged oocyte → high embryonic loss

Question 4

What does the trophoblast secrete?

Answer 4

Interferon tau (INF-T): endometrial prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, intereferes with arachidonic acid cascade, down regulates oxytocin

Question 5

Attachment

Answer 5

20d: Attachment begins
23d: Secretion of pregnancy associated with glycoproteins (pregnancy specific protein B- PSPB)
28d: PSPB high
40d: full attachment

Question 6

Placentation

Answer 6

Epitheliochorial cotyledonary (80-120 cotyledons arranged in 2 rows)

Question 7

Placentome

Answer 7

Caruncles (maternal) + cotyledon (fetal)

Question 8

Pregnancy diagnosis

Answer 8

Non-return to estrus
PSPB (d28)
Transrectal palpation: 28d for heifers, 32d for cows
Ultrasonography: 26d for heifers, 28d for cows

Question 9

Diagnosis for non pregnancy

Answer 9

Progesterone

Question 10

Positive signs of pregnancy

Answer 10

Amniotic vesicle palpable 28-60d for accurate staging (risk of damage)
Fetal membrane slip: 30- term (70 days)
Placentomes: 70-term
Fetus: 60-term

Question 11

Fetal membrane slip

Answer 11

30 to term (70 d)
Good accuracy
In fetal horn @ 32d
In both horns @ 55-50 d

Question 12

During membrane slip, what is being slipped?

Answer 12

Placenta

Question 13

Pregnancy diagnosis @ 60d

Answer 13

Membrane slip in both uterine horns
Amniotic vesicle 8-8.5 cm (softer, ↓ risk of rupture)
Fetus palpable (mouse)
Fetal sexing

Question 14

Placentomes palpation

Answer 14

Palpable @ 75-80d
Visible on ultrsonography from 42d
Size: Dime @ 90d, nickel @ 110d, quarter @ 120d, half dollar @150d

Question 15

Fremitus

Answer 15

Turbulence of blood in middle uterine artery in the broad ligament of the pregnant horn
Not a positive sign of pregnancy
Able to feel whirring

Question 16

Twin pregnancy

Answer 16

Poor accuracy with palpation
Good accuracy after 35 days with ultrasonography

Question 17

Termination of pregnancy

Answer 17

PGF2a if less than 150d
PGF2a + corticosteroids: 150-250d

Question 18

Vaginal prolapse genetic predisposition

Answer 18

Hereford, charolais, limousin, shorthorn

Question 19

Contributing factors to vaginal prolapse

Answer 19

Age/ multiple pregnancies
Intra-abdominal pressure in late pregnancy
Excess perivaginal fat
Prior perivaginal injury
Intake of large vol of poorly digestible roughage
Poor vaginal conformation
Estrogenic influence on relaxation of perineal are
Incompetence of the constrictor vestibule and vulnar muscles
Hypocalcemia

Question 20

Prolapse grade 1

Answer 20

Intermittent prolapse of the vaginal mucosa when recumbent

Question 21

Prolapse grade 2

Answer 21

Continuous prolapse of the vaginal mucosa with possible entrapment of the urinary bladder

Question 22

Prolapse grade 3

Answer 22

Protrusion of the entire vagina and cervix with entrapment of the bladder may lead to placentitis

Question 23

Prolapse grade 4

Answer 23

Chronic complete envision with severe tissue necrosis of the vaginal mucosa with peritonitis

Question 24

Treating vaginal prolapse

Answer 24

Caudal epidural anesthesia
Disinfection of the tissue and perineal area
Evaluation of the tissue for lesions
Replacement
Retention sutures

Question 25

Retention sutures

Answer 25

Buhner technique*

Question 26

Vaginal prolapse treatment complications

Answer 26

Recurrences
Rectal prolapse
Abortion
Dystocia

Question 27

Post treatment care of vaginal prolapse

Answer 27

Antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories, long term epidural, monitor calving

Question 28

Fetal membrane hydrops

Answer 28

Excessive accumulation of fluid in 2 or more fetal cavities → gross edema with ascites, pleural and pericardial effusions
Hydrallantois and hydramnios

Question 29

Hydrallantois

Answer 29

85-95%
Rapid development (within 1 month)
Abortion or death the outcome
Manage with salvage or euthanasia
Risk factor: cloned embryos

Question 30

Hydramnios risk factor

Answer 30

Fetal abnormalities impairing deglutition, renal dysgenesis or agenesis
Hybrids

Question 31

Hydramnios

Answer 31

5-15%
Slow development, several months
Need to monitor calving or induction

Question 32

Fetal mummification

Answer 32

Most common complaint: overdue
Causes fetal death (BVDV and neosporosis)

Question 33

Treatment for fetal mummification

Answer 33

PGF2a
PGE (not FDA approved)
Surgical removal

Question 34

Fetal maceration most common complaints

Answer 34

Persistent abnormal vaginal discharge, infertility, acyclic

Question 35

Fetal maceration

Answer 35

Fetal death and contamination of the uterus (failure to expel)
Bone fragments during transrectal palpation