Clinical Conditions of the Female Flashcards
what are the two way ovarian tumors can present?
-incidental finding on rectal exam
-clinical signs dependent upon hormones (this is more often)
what are the most common type of ovarian tumor?
granulosa theca cell tumor (GCT)
what are some types other types of of ovarian tumors
-teratoma
-angiosarcoma
-carcinoma
-fibroma
-fibrosarcoma
-dysgerminoma
-cystadenoma
what are some clinical signs of a GCT (3 scenarios)
-male like behaviour if its producing testosterone (aggressive, difficult to handle, mounting other mares)
-persistent estrus if producing estrogen (nymphomania in cows)
-inhibin production by granulosa ccells in tumor- inhibits FSH production by pituitary (contralateral ovary is very small/inactive)
what are some clinical exam findings to help diagnose GCT (4)
-rectal exam; one large ovary, usually unilateral
-in mares; the affected ovary has loss of a papable ovulation fossa (tumor destroys normal architecture)
-other ovary small and inactive
-ultrasound; multicystic classic appearance is the most common finding
what lab values do you submit to test for when you suspect a GCT?
GCT diagnostic panel; testosterone, inhibin and AMH
(elevated AMH can detect tumors earlier than inhibin)
what does a bovine GCT present as? what else do you see/find in addition
-presents as infertility
-aggressive behaviour, non retractable uterus, very large lumpy right ovary
what is a treatment for ovarian tumors
unilateral ovariectomy
-what is the result of a unilateral ovariectomy
-complications?
-eliminates unwanted behaviours, and still allows the animal to resume cycling eventually
-complications can be severe hemorrhage or incisional complications
how does a serous cystadenoma arise and what are its affects
-arises from lining epithelium of ovulation fossa
-usually dont produce hormones, so it doesnt affect cycling/behaviour
-rare!
what are other conditions that cause big ovaries? (5)
-paraovarian cysts; congenital
-Ovarian cysts in cows
-Ovarian Hematoma
-Transitional ovaries in mares (physiologically normal in mares)
-ovarian abscesses (rare)
paraovarian cysts; treatment, effect, findings, cause
-Remnants of mesonephric ducts
-Fluid filled, variable size
-Incidental finding on U/S
-Sporadic/ not uncommon in
mares
-No affect on fertility (can be
confused for a follicle)
-No treatment required
what happens to the paramesonephric (mullerian) ducts in males vs females
female = turns into oviduct, uterus, cranial vagina
male = regress
what happens to the mesonephric (wolffian) ducts in males vs females
female = regress
male = turns into vas deferens, epididymis
what happens to the urgenital sinus in males vs females
female = stays open, caudal vagina/vestibule
male = closes, urethra/prostate
how do you differentiate ovarian issues vs fall/spring transition in mares? (4)
-Time of the year
-Ovaries will be bilaterally large
-Ovulation fossas ARE palpable
-Hormone levels normal
ovarian hematoma; finding, cause, how common, treatment
-Bleed into a follicle instead of ovulating
-Incidental finding or history of pain
-treatment; Need time to regress – 4‐6 weeks. If large, rarely cause abdominal hemorrhage and death
what is the most common cause of big ovaries in cows
cystic ovarian disease
what is cystic ovarian disease
-Abnormal structures on the ovaries; usually follicular cysts, often multiple
-DEFN: persist for >10 days ‐ >2.5 cm in diameter; and absence of a CL
-May (or may not) interfere with normal cycling
what do most cows with endometritis/pyometra also have?
what can it lead to?
conditions of the oviduct
-Salpingitis, hydrosalpinx
-Bursitis/bursal cysts
-Ovaritis
-may result in oviductal blockage. cows with repeated infertility results in culling
what are bursal adhesions? what can they interfere with?
-Adhesions between ovary and fimbria
-Can interfere with oocyte pickup –leads to infertility
what is a bursal cyst
Fluid accumulation when adhesions become severe
oviductal blockage in mares; diagnosis, results, treatment
-Diagnosis is by exclusion
-When ALL other causes of infertility (especially endometritis) have been ruled out (consider including karyotyping if a young maiden mare)
-Application of PGE2 gel directly onto oviducts via laparoscopic surgery, or onto the oviductal opening via hysteroscopy or deep horn AI technique
-In selected cases, results have been excellent
what are some conditions of the cervix? (6)
- Cervicitis
- Cervical tears
- Tumours, polyps (rare)
- Double cervix/ other developmental problems (segmental aplasia)
- Fibrotic Cervix (old maiden mares)
- Varicose veins in mares
cervicitis; when it occurs, diagnosis, treatment
-Often occurs with chronic irritation (trauma, air feces, urine, endometritis)
-Diagnosis ‐ vaginoscopy (Look for endometritis, poor perineal conformation, urovagina, rectovaginal fistula)
-Treat the underlying cause (often endometritis)
when do cervical tears occur in mares vs cows
-May occur in mares following “normal” appearing foaling or dystocia
-Occurs in cows when a calf is pulled too early before cervix is fully dilated
cervical tears; diagnosis, sequelae
-Most easily palpated on vaginal exam; Cervix is palpated between thumb and first finger
-Visualize with vaginoscope
-Surgical Repair
-Severe vaginal and cervical trauma at foaling often leads to adhesions and vaginal/cervical stenosis
treatment of cervical tears in mares
-Minor tears often heal with time and medical management in the postpartum period
-Surgical repair is needed if >50% of the length of the cervix is affected
-Usually re‐tear at subsequent foaling and repair needs to be repeated
-Embryo Transfer
what is double cervix caused by? types? diagnosis?
-Caused by Incomplete fusion of
paramesonephric ducts
-May be complete (where each cervix
opens into a separate horn), or
partial (both sides open into a
common uterine body)
-May present as infertility, Or finding on vaginoscopy
where do you find varicose veins in mares
-in cervix or hymen of vagina
varicose veins in mares; outcomes
‐common cause of frank bloody discharge during pregnancy
‐if minor hemorrhage, topical application of Preparation H may shrink varicose veins
‐if significant, surgical laser or Ligasure cautery of vessels
conditions of the vagina, vestibule and vulva (7)
- Vaginitis, vestibulitis, vulvitis
- Pneumovagina (air in the uterus)
- Urovagina (urine pooling)
- Persistent hymen
- Vaginal cysts (cystic Gartner’s ducts)
- Tumours
- Perineal lacerations
vaginitis; what is it similar to, causes, species it affects
-similar to cervicitis
‐cows – IBR (herpes) or Ureaplasma are most common
‐bitches
what is an imperforate hymen
-Failure of canalization during
development of the paramesonephric duct system at the level of the urogenital sinus
-May be partial or complete
-If partial, may only be found during
first AI
-If complete may present as pink membrane protruding from vulva of maiden young filly