Lec 6 Flashcards
What constitutes functional forms of infertility in cows?
Abnormalities of the reproductive endocrine control systems constitute functional forms of infertility.
What is the most common result of functional infertility in cows?
Most forms of functional infertility result in anoestrus, which is the failure of the cow to display oestrus.
What are the inherited factors that can lead to anoestrus in cows?
Inherited factors are one of the causes of abnormalities that can lead to anoestrus in cows.
What management aspects can contribute to functional infertility in cows?
Management aspects that can contribute include stress of production, nutritional deficiencies, and excess social influence.
How does stress of production affect fertility in cows?
Stress of production can lead to abnormalities in the reproductive endocrine control systems, resulting in functional infertility.
What role do nutritional deficiencies play in anoestrus in cows?
Nutritional deficiencies can lead to abnormalities in the reproductive endocrine control systems, contributing to anoestrus.
What is the impact of social hierarchy on cow fertility?
Excess social influence, such as stable social hierarchy, can create stress that affects reproductive health and leads to anoestrus.
What are some causes of anoestrus in cows?
Causes of anoestrus include pregnancy, ovarian inactivity, failure to observe oestrus, silent heat, cystic ovarian disease, miscellaneous conditions such as spontaneous prolongation of the lifespan of the corpus luteum, infections, and early embryonic or fetal death.
What happens to oestrous cycles during pregnancy in cows?
Oestrous cycles cease during pregnancy and do not resume straight away after calving.
What hormonal condition during pregnancy affects the hypothalamo-pituitary axis?
High progesterone concentrations during pregnancy cause negative feedback suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis.
What is the level of follicular activity during pregnancy?
Follicular activity is minimal during pregnancy.
What must occur after calving before oestrous cycles can resume?
A period of restoration of both gonadotrophin secretion and ovarian follicular activity has to occur after calving.
How can postpartum anovulatory anoestrus be regarded?
Postpartum anovulatory anoestrus could be regarded as a normal condition.
What is a clinical sign of anoestrus in cows related to their reproductive cycle since calving?
Animals have not been seen in oestrus since the time of calving.
What are the characteristics of the ovaries in cows affected by anoestrus when examined per rectum?
The ovaries are small, quiescent, and usually flat and smooth, especially in heifers.
What is observed in cows with very small, inactive ovaries in terms of ovarian structures?
They are devoid of any significant structures, with no palpable follicles and luteal.
What condition is indicated by the enlargement of the ovary?
Cystic ovarian disease
What can the presence of a large corpus luteum within an ovary indicate?
Pregnancy, endometritis, or pyometra
What is a sign of anoestrus in old cows?
Roughened, irregular ovaries
How can the presence of uterine tone help in identifying recently ovulated animals?
It may help to identify animals that have recently ovulated.
What examination can be used to assess the ovaries?
Ultrasonographic examination of the ovaries
What is the purpose of re-examination after 10 days in diagnosing anoestrous in cows?
To differentiate between the cyclic and anoestrous ovary
What are the methods used for progesterone determination in diagnosing anoestrous?
Milk or blood progesterone determinations can be done with two samples taken at 10-day intervals or a single sample taken 10 days before a rectal palpation.
What are the predisposing factors for anovulatory anoestrus?
Anovulatory anoestrus is influenced by management, nutritional deficiencies, energy levels, roughage, vitamins (like Selenium and Vitamin E, A), and minerals (such as Calcium, Manganese, and Iodine deficiencies).
Which vitamins are associated with deficiencies that can lead to anovulatory anoestrus?
Selenium, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A deficiencies are associated with anovulatory anoestrus.
What role do minerals play in anovulatory anoestrus?
Minerals such as Calcium, Manganese, and Iodine deficiencies can contribute to anovulatory anoestrus.
How do energy levels affect anovulatory anoestrus?
Energy levels, including glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and cholesterol, are critical factors that can influence anovulatory anoestrus.
What is the timing of ovulation in cows relative to behavioral oestrus and the LH peak?
Ovulation in cows occurs 10 – 12 hours after the end of behavioral oestrus and 18 – 26 hours after the ovulatory LH peak.
What are the two main types of ovulatory defects in cows?
The two main types of ovulatory defects are: 1) The oocyte is not liberated and hence cannot be fertilized, and 2) The oocyte is liberated too late, making spermatozoa incapable of fertilization or the oocyte has aged and cannot develop normally.
What causes ovulatory defects in cows?
Ovulatory defects occur due to endocrine deficiency or imbalance, failure of the development of hormone receptors at the target tissue, and mechanical factors.
What can cause ovulation to be delayed or fail to occur?
Ovulation can be delayed or fail to occur due to insufficient release of pituitary hormones, incorrect timing of hormone release (particularly LH), or extensive lesions causing adhesion of the ovarian bursa to the ovary.
What is a key hormone involved in delayed ovulation in cows?
The hormone important for delayed ovulation is the delayed LH surge.
How can delayed ovulation be diagnosed in cows?
Delayed ovulation may be diagnosed by identifying the same follicle in the same ovary on two successive examinations, one at peak oestrus and another 24-36 hours later.
What are some factors contributing to poor fertility due to delayed ovulation?
Factors include aging of the oocyte within the follicle, sperm aging, and changes in the oviduct environment.
What treatment can be used to hasten the timing of ovulation in cows?
GnRH can be administered around the time of service to hasten the timing of ovulation.
What is a recommended practice after the first service in cows with delayed ovulation?
It is recommended to rebreed the cow again 24 hours after the first service.
What defines cystic ovarian disease in cows?
Cystic ovarian disease is characterized by the presence of one or more fluid-filled structures larger than a mature follicle (i.e., > 2.5 cm in diameter) in the absence of a functional corpus luteum, persisting for longer than 10 days.
What happens to the granulosa cell layer in cystic ovarian disease?
Degeneration of the granulosa cell layer results in an alteration of the normal cyclical activity, causing the cow to become acyclic or nymphomaniacal.
What percentage of cows develop cysts before the first postpartum ovulation?
60% of cows develop cysts before the first postpartum ovulation.
What should be noted about cysts that regress spontaneously in cows?
Cysts that regress spontaneously without any extension in the interval to first oestrus or evidence of nymphomania should not be considered as true ovarian cysts.
What factors interact to influence the incidence of ovarian cysts in cows?
Hereditary factors, stress, milk yield, and nutrition interact to influence the incidence of ovarian cysts.
At what age is the incidence of ovarian cysts greatest in cows?
The incidence of ovarian cysts is greatest between 4 and 6 years of age and is uncommon in first lactation.
How does milk yield selection affect the incidence of ovarian cysts?
The incidence of cysts will increase as long as selection for milk production traits continues.
What postpartum condition can influence the incidence of ovarian cysts?
Postpartum uterine infection can influence the incidence of ovarian cysts.