Cow Infertility and Reproductive Diseases Flashcards
What are the 4 types of reproductive failure in cows?
- Failure to ovulate after estrus
- Failure of fertilization
- Embryonic death
- Fetal death
Define pregnancy wastage
Combined embryonic, fetal and neonatal deaths
-most losses occur in embryonic stage prior to maternal recognition
Define infertility
Failure of fertilization to occur, results in a normal cycle length
If embryonic loss occurs after day 16, will cycle length be normal or abnormal?
Abnormal
What is late embryonic loss?
Losses between 30-42 days
-results in abnormal cycle length but no physical signs of abortion
Define fetal death/abortion
Losses after 42 days
-accompanied by physical signs of abortion
Define early embryonic loss
Losses before day 17 of pregnancy (70% of embryonic losses)
- cannot distinguish from infertility
What receptor does interferon tau act on to stimulate maternal recognition of pregnancy?
Blocks Estrogen receptor ER alpha which then results in blockage of oxytocin receptors leading to maternal recognition
What age group of cows is more likely to have late term abortions?
Heifers
What can occur during heavy lactation which affects cows ability to concieve?
Low progesterone levels
How does low progesterone affect high lactating dairy cows from days 1-7, day 8-27, day 38-60 and day 60-90
1-7: affects oocyte quality
8-27: ill timed elongation, histotroph deficiency
28-60: affects placentome growth and vascular development
60-90: can result in unilateral twins
How do you know if a cow may have an infertility issue?
Shes a repeat breeder
-could also be due to poor estrus detection, improper AI timing or handling
What are some important history questions when working up an infertility case?
Vaccination schedule, percentage of herd affected, concurrent clinical signs, husbandry
Which two bacteria are known for causing infertility in females?
Trichomoniasis and campylobacteriosis
What does trichomoniasis cause in cows?
Cows coming back into heat and low preg rates
- diagnose by checking bull (PCR of smegma)
What does campylobacteriosis cause in cows?
Inflammation of the uterus, mucopurulent endometritis
-diagnose with rtPCR of cervical swab or wash
What do mollicute infections (ureaplasma/myocplasma) result in in cows?
vulvovaginitis, cervicitis, emdometritis, salpingitis, abortions, infertility due to reluctance to breed
What disease does bovine herpesvirus 1.2B cause in cows?
Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis, endometritis, and oophoritis
What is the treatment for bovine herpesvirus in cows?
spontaneous recovery after 2 weeks
What urine acquired bacteria can lead to abortion storms and infertility?
Leptospirosis
Name an opportunistic pathogen which can cause degeneration of embryos due to adherence to the zona pelllucida?
Histophilus somnus
How does BVDV contribute to infertility?
It can lead to oophoritis, salpingitis, hormone alteration
Describe endometritis and how it contributes to infertility.
It often follows parturition, copulation or AI
-uterus may be normal on palpation and these cows are rarely systemically affected (prulent exudate=clinical)
-decreases first-service preg rates
Describe the grades of endometritis from 0-3
0: clear or transluscent mucous
1: mucous containing flecks of white or off white pus
2: mucopurulent exudate containing <50% white or off white mucopurulent material
3: exudate containing >50% purulent material (white, yellow or sanguinous)
