Companion Animal Theriogenology Flashcards
discuss the type of cycle for a bitch
- non seasonal
- mono-estrus
- with spontanous ovulation
which animals are poly estrus
- queen
- horse
- rodents
- pig
which animal is a long day polyestrus
horse
spring breeding season
which animals are short day polyestrus
- ewe
- doe
- elk
- nanny
- breed in autumn
which animals are monoestrus
- dogs
- wolf
- fox
- bear
- around march to may
when do the dogs have their first estrus?
9 mnths(7-14 mnths)
breed and individual variations
The physiological oestrous cycle of dog
- Non seasonal
- Mono-oestrous
- Spontaneous ovulation
- Domesticated dogs show 1-3 oestrous cycles
discuss length of Inter-pro-oestrus interval in dogs
- averages 6 to 7 months
- Variable between breeds
– eg. German Shephard (closer to) 4 months to 12 months in the Basenji - Variable within breed
- Possibly individual variation from 1 cycle to another
- In some breeds and wild dogs: eg. Basenji and Dingo
- Mono-oestrus = one cycle per year
- Seasonal - autumn
in which breeds are nomoestrus and seasonal
- In some breeds and wild dogs: eg. Basenji and Dingo
• Mono-oestrus = one cycle per year
• Seasonal - autumn
define Anoestrus
- Commences when the concentration of
plasmatic progesterone is < 1 ng/ml if not
pregnant
• Day of whelping if pregnant
• Until pro-oestrus
discuss the duration for anoestrus
average 90 days (60+)
discuss endocronology of anoestrus
- steroids- basal
- FSH rises at end of anoestrus: follicular growth
=\> subsequent rise of oestrogens =\> inducing pro-oestrus
- Prolactin still elevated at debut
- Pseudopregnancy
discuss events/activities of anoestrus
• Phase of uterine and mammary involution and
regeneration
• duration of regeneration of the uterus = 12 weeks
post partum
discuss the duration of regeneration of the uterus
- 12 weeks post parturm
- occurs in anoestrus
discuss the behavioral changes in anoestrus
- Unattractive to males and refuses mounting / mating
- Maternal (pseudopregnancy)
discuss Physical changes in anoestrus
- Vulva small
- Vaginal cytology→Small and non-keratinised cells
factors that do not induce period of anoestrus in a bitch
– pregnancy
– lactation / presence of pups
– season
– stress
which factor can induce Physiological period of anoestrus
in the bitch
pathology
which hormone is increased at the end of anoestrus
the basal plasma FSH
concentration increases, followed by
folliculogenesis
divisions of heat
- proestrus
- and estrus
duration for proestrus
• Average 9 days (3 to >20 days)
discuss events in proestrus
- Follicular growth
- Stimulation with LH and FSH
- Follicular secretion of oestrogens
discuss endocronology of proestrus in a bitch
- Oestrogens
* Maximum at onset of LH surge * Diminution of oestrogens thereafter
- Progesterone <2 ng/ml
bitch behaviour in proestrus
- attracts but refuses the male
- but variations as to male acceptance
physical changes in proestrus
- vulva swollen and turgid
- sanguineous uterine discharge
- swelling of vaginal mucosa
vaginal cytology in preoestrus
• reflects thickening and keratinisation
(cornification) of epithelium
• increasing percentage of larger cells -
“Superficial” cells, also: erythrocytes and
bacteria
define estrus
• from acceptance of mating until the onset of
dioestrus
• acceptance of the male dog
duration of diestrus
average 8 days (4 - 15 days!)
• problem is that sexual behaviour does not
always correlate with endocrinology
Endocrinology of estrus
- transitional
- oestradiol
• increased but declining
- progesterone
* produced by luteinized follicular cells * increases before ovulation!
discuss estrus events and ovulation
- Events (relative to/after LH surge)
- • 2 days: ovulation → oocytes type I (primary) expulse
- 4-5 days: maturation to oocyte II
• fertilization possible after maturation
- Thus, oocytes are fertilized from 4 to 5 days
after the LH surge onwards
discuss behaviour of estrus
• accepts male
• sometimes well before the LH surge
• sometimes during early dioestrus
• sometimes only for few days around most fertile
time
• temperament of male and female may cause
variation
• no reliable association with hormones!
physical changes in estrus
vulva less turgid
• discharge becomes serous
• reduction and/or disappearance of sanguineous
discharge
•but not always!
discuss vaginal cytology in estrus
vaginal epithelium now keratinised
• > 90% cells superficial cells
• often less erythrocytes
• bacteria, many
clinical parameters due to Increase of plasma oestradiol 17β
Vulvar swelling
– Serosanguinous vaginal discharge
– Swelling of vaginal mucosa / increase of the
number of cell layers of the vaginal mucosa:
• Vaginoscopy
• Cytology
– Behaviour?
what does does mating occur after onset of proestrus
day 11
defination of diestrus
commences when mating is no longer
allowed by the bitch, or
• imprecise!
– commences at the start of a reduction of
≥20% of number of keratinised epithelial
cells in vaginal cytology after oestrus in a
non-pregnant bitch
– until plasmatic progesterone < 1.0 ng/ml
– some use metoestrus for this phase
discuss endocrinology of diestrus
• production of progesterone by the CL lasts
approximately 2 months
– avg. 75 days
– in case of absence of pregnancy
• progesterone increases until around day 30,
then declines
• concentrations similar to pregnancy
• no active luteolysis
• luteotrophic hormones
– prolactin (LH?)
how long does the production of progesterone lasts in diestrus
production of progesterone by the CL lasts
approximately 2 months
– avg. 75 days
– in case of absence of pregnancy
discuss events of diestrus
• early di-oestrus
• vaginal epithelium reduces dramatically in size (“falls off”)
• may still stand (behaviour)
• day 1 of di-oestrus (cytologically)
• useful marker to calculate length of pregnancy
but more T=0 are possible!
eg. ovulation
•optimal time of breeding (retrospectively)
discuss behavior of bitches during diestus
nattractive to the male and refuses mating
discuss physical changes in diestrus
- vulva reduces in size
- reduction and disappearance of discharges
- may have a white discharge first few days
- mammary hyperplasia as progresses
discuss vaginal cytology of diestrus
• early dioestrus:
• reduction in the number of keratinised epithelial cells >
20%
• influx of neutrophils
• less bacteria
• appearance of “Metoestrus” cells and “Foam” cells
discuss luteolysis in bitches
discuss hormones involved
• No prostaglandin F2α from the uterus
• First half of the luteal phase: pituitary-independent
• Second half of the luteal phase: prolactin = most
important luteotrophic factor
discuss pseudopregnancy in bitches
Onset usually 4-6 weaks after oestrus
• Pseudopregnancy is physiological
• Plasma prolactin concentration increases in response
to a plasma progesterone decrease
• Mammary development, secretion of milk, digging of
holes, collecting and guarding of “objects”
– sometimes agitated / agressive
– sometimes lethargic
onset of pseudopregnancy in bitches
4-6 weeks
tx for pseudopregnancy
- dopamine=PIF(prolactin inhibiting factors)
- Serotonine antagonists
metergoline - dopamine agonists(cabergoline and bromocriptine)
how do you dx brucella canis
serology
- Important in USA and South America
- Absent Northern Europe, U.K., Australia
discuss viginal microscopy in prebreeding exams
normal flora
– especially during pro-oestrus and oestrus
discuss prebreeding culture
- unnecessary
- – isolation of microbes alone ≠ vaginitis
– only indicated if bitch has other signs of
disease
• inflammation, abnormal discharge
• Timing of mating / insemination,
considerations
- fresh sperm can survive in the tract up to 8
days
– oocytes are fertile for 2 to 3 days
fertile mating is possible over a relatively
long period of time
• Target the most fertile period
– 2-3 days after ovulation, oocytes are ready
for fertilisation
best time for fertilization
2-3 days after ovulation
time of cervical closure after ovulation
5 days
beggining of luteal phase after ovulation
8 days
progesterone levels rise
why is timing ovulation the best method for optimum fertilization
- Length of follicular phase is highly variable, therefore:
- ovulation timing can be necessary, especially if semen quality is impaired such as frozen-thawed semen
discuss aim of ovulation timing
- determine period of optimal fertility
- Monitor during (pro-)oestrus (3 times weekly)
how to monitor for ovulation
- vulvar swelling,discharge (amount,color)
- vaginoscopy
- cytology(vestibulum vaginoscopy)
- plasma progesterone concentration
*
- plasma progesterone concentration
when does ovulation occur in bitches
approximately 7 days after start of proestrus
ealier if known short cycle
discuss vaginoscopy to determine time of ovulation
- pro-oestrus vs oestrus
• reflects oestrogen concentrations • pro-oestrus - vaginal oedema • vaginal folds / wrinkling during oestrus – di-oestrus & anoestrus
- **not accurate enough to determine day of **
- ovulation
• Vaginal abnormalities
- – vaginal bands (septum), vaginitis
vaginal cytology is useful for the dx of
crude cycle stage: “(pro-) oestrus?”
– start di-oestrus
– abnormalities
vaginal cytology is not used for
– determining ovulation or the time of maximum
fertility
• Small round cells with scanty cytoplasm in vaginal cytology
parabasal cells
non keratinised
discuss the characteristic for small intermidiate cells
cytoplasm larger than parabasal
non kiratinized
discuss the characteristics of the large intermidiate cells
cytoplasm larger than small interm
discuss the superficial cells in vaginal cytology
- Keratinised
- Nuclear and anuclear
increase in vaginal epithelial cells increases with ……
estrogen increase
blood cells seen in vaginal cytology
rbc
wbc
discuss the type of cells found with diestrus with viginal cytology
• Metoestrum cells
– appear to have neutrophil in cytoplasm
• Foam cells
– lipid inclusions (? macrophages)
– Spermatozoa, <24 h after mating
this cells appear to have neutrophil in cytoplasm
Metoestrum cells
when is matingg possible after ovulation
between day two and 5
cervix close after day 5
how long is frozen sperm viable
12-24hrs
diferentiate cs of vagina in proestrus and estrus
- pro-oestrus - vaginal oedema
- • vaginal folds / wrinkling during oestrus
which test reflects estrogen concentration
vaginal cytology
vaginal cytology is useful for dx of
crude cycle stage:pro, estrus?
start of diestrus
abnormalities
it basically gives same info as vaginoscopy
vaginal cytology is not usful in
determining ovulation or the time of maximum
fertility
when will u see blood cells in vaginal cytology
u wont see them in the fertile period n ovulation period
u see cells with lipid inclusions in cell cytology
name those cells as well as the stage of estrus cycle the dog is in
Foam cells
onset of diestrus
when do u see sperm in vaginal cytology
<24 hrs after mating
which ezyme can u measure for timing ovulation
- Measurement of progesterone is necessary to optimise the results
– to estimate LH surge and ovulation
– sample frequency: every 2-3 days
- Measurement of LH is possible, but
relation to moment of ovulation is less rigid
disucss progesterone levels at LH surge as well as ovulation when doing ovulation timing
- the time of LH surge:
– ± 2 ng/ml (or rapid augmentation of P4)
- ovulation:
– ± 5 ng/ml (4 - 8 ng/ml)
- fertile period:
– 10 - 25 ng/ml
- But, values highly depend on assay used!
- RIA, ELISA, chemiluminescence assay etc.
benefits of natural breeding
- Always try natural mating first
- Results with breeding menagement are
good
– sucess rate 90% AI fresh > AI chilled (70-
90%) > AI frozen (20-65%)
– Also ethics concerning use of AI
discuss cooled semen preservation
@ 5 OC
• conservation of 1 hour to 2 days
• dilute with extender and refrigerate
discuss frozen sperm collection
Frozen; @ -196 OC, liquid nitrogen (LN)
advantages of using cooled semen
easy and relatively cheap
• good results, similar to fresh semen
discuss disadvantages of cooled semen
- logistics are important, not much time – import restrictions
• 2 days (max 3-5 d)
advantagews of frozen sperm
long conservation - indefinite
– “gene banking”
• allows international exchange
disadvantages of frozen sperm
- viability variable after freezing
- cost of equipment, procedures and exportation
- administrative complications
- specialised centres necessary
- pregnancy rate lower
discuss insermination dose
- Not clearly defined
– normally whole ejaculate inseminated
- with fresh / cooled semen
– minimum 100 - 150 million normal sperm or
200 million sperm in total
• corrected for (post thaw) motility and morphology
methods of AI in dogs
- Vaginal
- Intra-uterine
Trans-cervical endoscopic Norwegian catheter Laparoscopic / surgical
advantages of endoscopic insermination
Accurate and sure
– Animal conscious
disadvantages of endoscopic insermination
Difficult to learn
– Equipment expensive
– Sedation sometimes necessary
– Risk of perforation
advantages of nowargian catheter
inexpensive
– no general anaesthesia
disadvantages of norwaigean catheter
sedation
– risk of perforation
– difficult in large, stressed or obese bitches
– performed blindly
advantages of surgical insermination
easy / certain: visual inspection
disadvantages of surgical insermination
surgical complications
– anaesthesia
– one dose of sperm only
– ethics - questionable, banned in some
countries (eg. The Netherlands)
how long is the primary anoestrus
> 18-24 months
discuss the pathological and physiological causes of anoestrus
- congenital disease: disorder of sexual
development
– eg. hermaphroditism, aneuploidy (X0
/XXY / …), ovarian agenesis etc.
- physiology
- silent heat / observational flaws
- exogenous cause
–eg. treatment with progestagens
dx for anoestrus
Complete history and gynaecological exam:
– anatomical abnormalities
– cycle stage: (pro-)oestrus?
• Plasma progesterone concentration
• Imaging of the reproductive tract
– ultrasound
• Function test of the hypothalamus pituitary
gonadal axis
– GnRH stimulation test
• Karyotype
• Induction of oestrus
2dary anoestrus
Prolonged inter oestrus interval
interval for interestrous( secondary proestrus)
>1 year or
>2x interoestrus interval normal to that
individual
causes of interestrus(2ndary proestrus)
- inadequate observation
• systemic illness, poor body condition
• endocrinopathies
• prolonged luteal phase (??)
• exogenous cause
–eg. treatment with progestagens
dx for 2dary anoestrus
Complete history and physical /
gynaecological exam:
– cycle stage: (pro-)oestrus?
• Plasma progesterone concentration
• T4 / TSH, urinary corticoid/creatinin ratio
• Imaging of the reproductive tract
– ultrasound
• Function test of the hypothalamus pituitary
gonadal axis
– GnRH stimulation test
• Induction of oestrus
how long is persistent (pro) estrus.
Definition: > 6 weeks
risk of persistent (pro) estrus
- bone marrow hypoplasia
thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, anaemia
- prognosis: very grave
– endometritis
discuss cs of persistent (pro)estrus
- Aberrant ovulation; often in young bitch, especially first oestrus
split heat: (pro-)oestrus stops before ovulation, often resumes after several days or weeks
- Ovarian cysts
- Functional ovarian tumour– Granulosacell tumour
- Exogenous estrogens
- Liver disease,– eg. portosystemic shunt
dx for persistent (pro) estrus
- Complete history and physical /gynaecological exam:
– confirm cycle stage: (pro-)oestrus?
- Imaging of the reproductive tract
– Ultrasound
discuss the effect of granulosa cell tumor
- the stage of estrus they affect
- their effect
(pro)estrus
Relative overrepresentation in remnant ovarian tissue (ROT)
Most ROT patients present with
unexpected (pro-)oestrus symptoms
tests for persistent (pro)estrus due due to ROT
1Gynaecological exam
- Plasma progesterone concentration
- GnRH stimulation test
n.b estradiole should be low.if its high then u know u have ROT
tx for persistent (pro)estrus
Immediate surgery in case of
concurrent (stump)endometritis
list the dz of the vagina
- Congenital abnormalities
strictures, bands, rings
- Vaginitis
- Edema / hyperplasia
- Tumours
which type of viginitis is more common
prepurbital
tx for viginitis
r/o anatomical defects
tx of if bitch is severly affected
wait up until the first estrus before overectomy
- not conclusively proven
- weigh up against risk of mamary tumeors
pathogenesis of vaginitis in young bitches
- Hormonal influences (progesterone dominance)
- Anatomy
- Age: mostly < 3 jaar
- Vestibulitis
discuss vaginitis in adult intact bitch
- rare
- mostly secondary to other problems, eg.
• disorders of sexual development
• urinary problems
• foreign bodies / trauma
• uterine disease
• vaginal neoplasia
• endocrine diseases, such as
hypercortisolism
discuss the vaginal tumors seen in intact bitcches
they are in old bitches
hormonal dependent
mostly benign-
- leiomyoma, fibroma
vaginal tumors are fast growing in which stage
(pro)estrus
tx for vaginal tumors
- surgical removal (episiotomy)
- prognosis is good
- local recurrence
- rarely in bitches after ovariectomy at young age
mostly malignant
which tumor is Friable surface: “cauliflower”
tvt
No neoplastic transformation of autologous
cells but transmission of a “cell line”
(different number of chromosomes
discuss tx for tvt
- Local removal, surgically
- Chemotherapy / radiation therapy
- vincristine (weekly, 4-6 weeks)
- remission in 90%, no relapse
discuss the signalment of mammary tumors in the dogs
- 42% of all tumours in intact bitches
- age: 6-10 y, rarely < 4 y
- often multiple tumours
- appr. 50% is malignant
- breeds
characteristics of mammary tumors in a dog
- Definitely hormone-dependent for initiation
- . Growth-stimulated by progestins
- . After malignant transformation loss of hormone dependency (PR- and ER-)
discuss routes of Metastasis of canine mammary
tumours
- Hematogenous
• Lymphatic
discuss the sites of Metastasis of canine mammary
tumours
- Regional lymph nodes
- Lungs
- Adrenal gland
- Kidney, etc…..
dx for canine mammary tumors
- Physical and rectal examination to assess extent
of disease
- FNA: difficult to differentiate benign and
malignant tumours
Inflammatory carcinoma and metastasis to
regional lymph nodes
- imaging techniques for metatstasis
- TNM system for prognosis
tx for the canine mammary tumors
Aim: removal of all neoplastic tissue with the
simplest procedure, eg.:
• excisional biopsy: small mass: < 0.5 cm, firm,
superficial, non-fixed
• local mastectomy: centrally located, > 1.0 cm, any
degree of fixation
• Effect of ovario(hyster)ectomy on local tumor
recurrence is controversial
• some effect on benign tumour development
prognosis for mammary tumors
poor prognostic factors are
• > 3.0 cm
• ulceration
• histologic grade and type
• always perform histopathology after excision
• Inflammatory carcinoma
cs of mastitis
- Classical signs of inflammation: “calor, rubor, dolor, tumor et functio laesa
- abscessation possible: demarcation
- Systemic illness: depression, anorexia and
fever
dx for mastits
Diagnose based on clinical signs
• Cytology of milk
• Bacterial culture
tx for mastitis
- antibiotics
- weaning of pups often not indicated
- if pups are weaned: dopamine-agonists
- surgery mostly not necessary
length of estrus in dogs
9 days
length of diestrus in bitches
2 mnths
discuss hormonal levels in diestrus
progesterone is declining while prolastin is incresing
source of progesterone in a preg. bitch
cl is the sole source
maternal recognition of preg.
Luteal function
– Recognition of “foreign” tissue
discuss endocrine difference of diestrus and preg.
Relaxin is present
• pregnancy specific: secreted by the foetal
placenta
concentration of plasmatic progesterone is
similar
• total production progesterone is increased
• pre-partum luteolysis by PGF2 alpha
where is the relaxin produced
by the foetus
when does progesterone drop in preg.
last 36 hrs
discuss the level of progesterone before parturition
no increase before parturition
• unlike most other species, eg. cattle
there is a significant decrease before parturition
discuss duration of gestation in bitches
56 to 72 days,
– counted from day of mating, highly variable
More accurate alternatives:
– 65 ± 1 day, based on LH surge
• day 0 = day of LH surge
– 61.5 days, mean, if determined after one
mating at the optimal time
– 57 ± 1 day, di-oestrus (cytology)
• Differences relevant in history of
parturition / dystocia cases!
discuss duration of gestation in relation to litter size
negatively correlated with litter size
– especially one and two puppy pregnancies
can be prolonged
• indication for elective caesarean section
at D65 / 66 after mating
• breed might also be a factor
when do u decide to do elective cesarian section
at D65 / 66 after mating
when does fertilization occurs
0-3 days
when does the blastocyte enter the uterus after fertilization
8-9 days
whaen does implantation occur
13-15 days
when is preg. ultrasound positive
d21
when can u palpate for preg.
days 26-30
when is relaxin present in plasma
d30
when is ossification visible
d49
when can u start counting the # of puppies with xray
7 weeks
when can u see a clear mucus in vagina after mating
3-4 wks after mating
discuss occurance of eclampsia / puerperal tetany
- mostly during first weeks post partum
• small bitches with large litters are at risk
cs of eclampsia / puerperal tetany
-behavioural changes
– salivation
– facial pruritus
– stiffness / limb pain / ataxia
– hyperthermia
– tachycardia
how to tx for eclampsia / puerperal tetany
- 10% Calcium gluconate, slowly iv to effect (1-20mL)
– CAVE: arrhythmias, bradycardia
• followed by subcutaneous infusion:
– equal volume diluted 1:1 (v/v), q 6-8 h
• followed by oral supplementation
• improve nutrition
• in severe cases: terminate pregnancy
discuss preg.loss before d30
< ± D30: resorption
• common: 1 or 2 / pregnancy
discuss pregnancy loss after d30
- abortion by expulsion, discharge
- retention, fetal death: mummification
- neonatal death, risk dystocia
discuss prolonged preg.
> 65 days, bitch
– more often in 1 and 2 puppy pregnancies
• Sequelae?
– increased risk prenatal death
• Caesarian operation
discuss uterine tumers
very rare
discuss inguinal hernia of uterine
uncommon
list uterine dz of diestrus
Mucometra
• Endometritis / Pyometra
discuss causes of Metrorrhagia
neoplasia
• cystic follicles
• subinvolution of placental sites
• physiology
• (pro-)oestrus
• parturition / puerperium (sometimes
unknown)
in which cycle stag do u get spontaneous CEH endometritis
luteal phase
discuss etiology of CEH-endometritis
Hormonal influences:
mainly progesterone preceded by oestradiol-17
why is the luteal phase a greater risk for CEH endometritis
Risk for development of bacterial infection is relatively high
during the luteal phase due to decreased local immunity
• example: high risk for endometritis after transcervical collection of endometrial
biopsy during the luteal phase, not in other cycle stages
experimental tx for CEH-endometritis
discontinuation of progesterone treatment or
ovariectomy: regression of endometrium
stage 1 of CEH-endometritis
uncomplicated CEH