Lec 6 Flashcards

1
Q

What constitutes functional forms of infertility in cows?

A

Abnormalities of the reproductive endocrine control systems constitute functional forms of infertility.

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2
Q

What is the most common result of functional infertility in cows?

A

Most forms of functional infertility result in anoestrus, which is the failure of the cow to display oestrus.

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3
Q

What are the inherited factors that can lead to anoestrus in cows?

A

Inherited factors are one of the causes of abnormalities that can lead to anoestrus in cows.

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4
Q

What management aspects can contribute to functional infertility in cows?

A

Management aspects that can contribute include stress of production, nutritional deficiencies, and excess social influence.

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5
Q

How does stress of production affect fertility in cows?

A

Stress of production can lead to abnormalities in the reproductive endocrine control systems, resulting in functional infertility.

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6
Q

What role do nutritional deficiencies play in anoestrus in cows?

A

Nutritional deficiencies can lead to abnormalities in the reproductive endocrine control systems, contributing to anoestrus.

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7
Q

What is the impact of social hierarchy on cow fertility?

A

Excess social influence, such as stable social hierarchy, can create stress that affects reproductive health and leads to anoestrus.

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8
Q

What are some causes of anoestrus in cows?

A

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.

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9
Q

What happens to oestrous cycles during pregnancy in cows?

A

Oestrous cycles cease during pregnancy and do not resume straight away after calving.

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10
Q

What hormonal condition during pregnancy affects the hypothalamo-pituitary axis?

A

High progesterone concentrations during pregnancy cause negative feedback suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis.

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11
Q

What is the level of follicular activity during pregnancy?

A

Follicular activity is minimal during pregnancy.

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12
Q

What must occur after calving before oestrous cycles can resume?

A

A period of restoration of both gonadotrophin secretion and ovarian follicular activity has to occur after calving.

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13
Q

How can postpartum anovulatory anoestrus be regarded?

A

Postpartum anovulatory anoestrus could be regarded as a normal condition.

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14
Q

What is a clinical sign of anoestrus in cows related to their reproductive cycle since calving?

A

Animals have not been seen in oestrus since the time of calving.

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15
Q

What are the characteristics of the ovaries in cows affected by anoestrus when examined per rectum?

A

The ovaries are small, quiescent, and usually flat and smooth, especially in heifers.

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16
Q

What is observed in cows with very small, inactive ovaries in terms of ovarian structures?

A

They are devoid of any significant structures, with no palpable follicles and luteal.

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17
Q

What condition is indicated by the enlargement of the ovary?

A

Cystic ovarian disease

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18
Q

What can the presence of a large corpus luteum within an ovary indicate?

A

Pregnancy, endometritis, or pyometra

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19
Q

What is a sign of anoestrus in old cows?

A

Roughened, irregular ovaries

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20
Q

How can the presence of uterine tone help in identifying recently ovulated animals?

A

It may help to identify animals that have recently ovulated.

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21
Q

What examination can be used to assess the ovaries?

A

Ultrasonographic examination of the ovaries

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22
Q

What is the purpose of re-examination after 10 days in diagnosing anoestrous in cows?

A

To differentiate between the cyclic and anoestrous ovary

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23
Q

What are the methods used for progesterone determination in diagnosing anoestrous?

A

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.

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24
Q

What are the predisposing factors for anovulatory anoestrus?

A

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).

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25
Q

Which vitamins are associated with deficiencies that can lead to anovulatory anoestrus?

A

Selenium, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A deficiencies are associated with anovulatory anoestrus.

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26
Q

What role do minerals play in anovulatory anoestrus?

A

Minerals such as Calcium, Manganese, and Iodine deficiencies can contribute to anovulatory anoestrus.

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27
Q

How do energy levels affect anovulatory anoestrus?

A

Energy levels, including glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and cholesterol, are critical factors that can influence anovulatory anoestrus.

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28
Q

What is the timing of ovulation in cows relative to behavioral oestrus and the LH peak?

A

Ovulation in cows occurs 10 – 12 hours after the end of behavioral oestrus and 18 – 26 hours after the ovulatory LH peak.

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29
Q

What are the two main types of ovulatory defects in cows?

A

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.

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30
Q

What causes ovulatory defects in cows?

A

Ovulatory defects occur due to endocrine deficiency or imbalance, failure of the development of hormone receptors at the target tissue, and mechanical factors.

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31
Q

What can cause ovulation to be delayed or fail to occur?

A

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.

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32
Q

What is a key hormone involved in delayed ovulation in cows?

A

The hormone important for delayed ovulation is the delayed LH surge.

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33
Q

How can delayed ovulation be diagnosed in cows?

A

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.

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34
Q

What are some factors contributing to poor fertility due to delayed ovulation?

A

Factors include aging of the oocyte within the follicle, sperm aging, and changes in the oviduct environment.

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35
Q

What treatment can be used to hasten the timing of ovulation in cows?

A

GnRH can be administered around the time of service to hasten the timing of ovulation.

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36
Q

What is a recommended practice after the first service in cows with delayed ovulation?

A

It is recommended to rebreed the cow again 24 hours after the first service.

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37
Q

What defines cystic ovarian disease in cows?

A

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.

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38
Q

What happens to the granulosa cell layer in cystic ovarian disease?

A

Degeneration of the granulosa cell layer results in an alteration of the normal cyclical activity, causing the cow to become acyclic or nymphomaniacal.

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39
Q

What percentage of cows develop cysts before the first postpartum ovulation?

A

60% of cows develop cysts before the first postpartum ovulation.

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40
Q

What should be noted about cysts that regress spontaneously in cows?

A

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.

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41
Q

What factors interact to influence the incidence of ovarian cysts in cows?

A

Hereditary factors, stress, milk yield, and nutrition interact to influence the incidence of ovarian cysts.

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42
Q

At what age is the incidence of ovarian cysts greatest in cows?

A

The incidence of ovarian cysts is greatest between 4 and 6 years of age and is uncommon in first lactation.

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43
Q

How does milk yield selection affect the incidence of ovarian cysts?

A

The incidence of cysts will increase as long as selection for milk production traits continues.

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44
Q

What postpartum condition can influence the incidence of ovarian cysts?

A

Postpartum uterine infection can influence the incidence of ovarian cysts.

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45
Q

Which ovary is more likely to have cysts identified?

A

More cysts are identified in the right ovary.

46
Q

What role does β-carotene play in ovarian cyst incidence?

A

β-carotene, the plant precursor of vitamin A, may be important in reducing the incidence of ovarian cysts.

47
Q

What are the mechanical causes of ovulatory failure?

A

Mechanical interference with ovulation, such as ovarobursal adhesions, can cause ovulatory failure.

48
Q

What endocrine mechanism failure is commonly associated with the development of ovarian cysts?

A

The development of ovarian cysts may be primarily due to deficiencies of LH secretion during the preovulatory surge.

49
Q

What can lead to ovulatory failure and cyst formation in the ovaries?

A

Defects within the ovary, such as having too few receptors for LH, can lead to ovulatory failure and cyst formation.

50
Q

What is necessary for follicular maturation and ovulation?

A

The possession of LH receptors in the granulosa cells is necessary for follicular maturation and ovulation.

51
Q

How is high prolactin secretion related to ovulatory failure?

A

Ovulatory failure and cyst formation are related to high prolactin secretion.

52
Q

What are the characteristics of follicular cysts?

A

Follicular cysts are thin-walled and have little or no luteal tissue in the cyst wall. It is common to find multiple follicular cysts.

53
Q

How do luteal cysts differ from follicular cysts?

A

Luteal cysts are thick-walled, usually single, and contain a large quantity of luteal tissue in the cyst wall.

54
Q

What is a partial luteinizing follicular cyst?

A

A partial luteinizing follicular cyst is a type of ovarian cyst that has some luteinization but does not fully develop into a corpus luteum.

55
Q

What characterizes a major luteinizing follicular cyst?

A

A major luteinizing follicular cyst is characterized by significant luteinization and can lead to hormonal imbalances.

56
Q

What are non-ovulated luteinised follicles also known as?

A

Non-ovulated luteinised follicles are also known as luteal cysts.

57
Q

What does it indicate if there are two follicular cysts in one ovary?

A

The presence of two follicular cysts in one ovary indicates a more severe case of cystic ovarian disease.

58
Q

What does one follicular cyst in an ovary suggest?

A

One follicular cyst in an ovary suggests a less severe form of cystic ovarian disease, but it still requires monitoring.

59
Q

What are non-ovulatory luteal cysts?

A

Non-ovulatory luteal cysts are cysts that form when follicles luteinize without ovulating, leading to potential fertility issues.

60
Q

What makes the accurate classification of cysts difficult during diagnosis?

A

Cysts can be confused with the corpus haemorrhagicum, adjacent luteal and follicular structures, abscesses, preovulatory follicles, non-ovarian cysts, and tumours.

61
Q

What progesterone concentration in milk indicates a luteinised cyst?

A

Progesterone concentrations greater than or equal to 2 ng/ml in milk denote a luteinised cyst.

62
Q

What is the significance of measuring progesterone concentrations in blood plasma or serum?

A

Progesterone concentrations greater than or equal to 0.5 – 1.0 ng/ml in plasma/serum indicate a luteinised cyst, while concentrations less than this denote a follicular cyst.

63
Q

How does transrectal ultrasound imaging help in diagnosing cysts?

A

Transrectal ultrasound imaging allows differentiation between luteal and follicular cysts due to the thicker wall of luteal cysts.

64
Q

What is nymphomania in cows?

A

Nymphomania is characterized by excessive, prolonged signs of oestrus and a shortened interval between successive heats.

65
Q

What are the signs of anoestrus or masculinisation in cows?

A

Signs include the development of masculine conformation and attempts to mount other cows, but they will not stand to be mounted.

66
Q

What physical signs indicate anoestrus in cows?

A

Signs include oedematous swelling of the vulva, copious discharge of clear mucus, sinking of the sacrosciatic ligaments, and upward displacement of the coccyx.

67
Q

What behavioral changes might indicate anoestrus in cows?

A

Cows may exhibit a nervous disposition, depressed milk yield, and loss of bodily condition.

68
Q

How do cows display signs of oestrus in relation to other cows?

A

Cows in oestrus will stand to be mounted by other cows and may also ride other cows.

69
Q

What risk is associated with the relaxation of pelvic ligaments in cows?

A

Cows are prone to pelvic and hip fractures due to the relaxation of pelvic ligaments.

70
Q

What is the luteal or luteinised cyst in cows?

A

It results in a cessation of cyclical activity, similar to a persistent corpus luteum.

71
Q

What is a common outcome for cystic ovarian disease in the early post-calving period?

A

Spontaneous recovery from cystic ovarian disease occurs.

72
Q

What is the earliest method for treating cystic ovarian disease?

A

Manual rupture per rectum.

73
Q

What are potential risks associated with manual rupture of cysts?

A

It can cause trauma, hemorrhage, and ovarobursal adhesions.

74
Q

What type of hormones are used to treat follicular cysts?

A

Gonadotrophic hormones or hormones having LH-like activity such as hCG or GnRH.

75
Q

What is the recommended treatment for luteinised cysts?

A

They are treated with luteolytic substances like PGF 2α.

76
Q

What is the routine treatment protocol for cysts upon diagnosis?

A

Administer GnRH followed by PGF 2α nine days later.

77
Q

What are the consequences of cystic ovarian disease on fertility?

A

Cystic ovarian disease depresses fertility, extends the calving interval, decreases lifetime milk yields, increases the involuntary culling rate, and can lead to the development of mucometra.

78
Q

How can cystic ovarian disease be prevented in herds?

A

Prevention can be achieved through careful genetic selection by eliminating bulls that have sired daughters suffering from cystic ovarian disease and through the prophylactic use of GnRH, treating all cows with 100 – 200 μg of GnRH 12 – 14 days postpartum.

79
Q

What are silent heats in postpartum cows?

A

Silent heats refer to the first and second postpartum ovulations that occur without any behavioral signs of oestrus.

80
Q

What factors can contribute to silent heat in cows?

A

Genetic predisposition, hotter months of the year, and nutritional deficiencies such as β-carotene, phosphorus, copper, and cobalt can contribute to silent heat.

81
Q

How can silent heat be diagnosed in cows?

A

Diagnosis can be made through clinical history, rectal palpation of the genital system, determination of progesterone in milk or blood, and transrectal ultrasonography.

82
Q

What is the significance of the presence of a corpus luteum in diagnosing silent heat?

A

The presence of a corpus luteum indicates cyclical ovarian activity, which helps differentiate silent heat from non-observed oestrus.

83
Q

What treatment can be given if a mature corpus luteum is present and the cow is not pregnant?

A

PGF2α or an analogue can be given, followed by fixed-time insemination or breeding at the time of observed oestrus.

84
Q

What is a recommended prostaglandin regimen for treating cows?

A

A double injection prostaglandin regimen at an 11-day interval.

85
Q

What alternative treatment can be used for cows that are not pregnant?

A

A progestogen implant could be used, followed by fixed-time insemination.

86
Q

What is a common cause of poor oestrus detection in cows?

A

Poor oestrus detection is due to some kind of pathological condition.

87
Q

What factors can lead to a persistent corpus luteum?

A

Factors include pregnancy, uterine pathology with infection and inflammation, and untreated pyometra.

88
Q

How does PGF2α relate to the persistent corpus luteum?

A

Anything that interferes with the production of PGF2α will result in a persistent corpus luteum, and treatment with PGF2α can help resolve it.

89
Q

What defines a repeat breeder cow?

A

A repeat breeder cow exhibits normal signs of oestrus every 18 to 24 days but requires more than three services to become pregnant or fails to conceive after three or four services.

90
Q

What is a common characteristic of a repeat breeder cow?

A

A repeat breeder cow is an animal that continually returns to service in the absence of any obvious pathological disease.

91
Q

What are the typical days for embryonic death in repeat breeder cows?

A

Embryonic death typically occurs around the sixth day of pregnancy, with further losses around days 17 to 19.

92
Q

What failure occurs on day 16 in repeat breeder cows?

A

The failure of maternal recognition of pregnancy occurs on day 16 in repeat breeder cows.

93
Q

What are the two main causes of repeat breeding related to the uterine environment?

A

The two main causes of repeat breeding related to an impaired uterine environment are luteal deficiency and chronic degeneration of the endometrium.

94
Q

What is the role of progesterone in maintaining pregnancy?

A

Progesterone is necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy

95
Q

What can be administered 11-13 days after breeding to induce accessory corpora lutea?

A

hCG or GnRH can be administered 11-13 days after breeding to induce accessory corpora lutea.

96
Q

What is the purpose of using progesterone implants?

A

Progesterone implants are used to augment progesterone concentrations during the period when luteolysis is expected.

97
Q

What are some factors that can cause repeat breeding?

A

Factors causing repeat breeding include genetic issues, uterine infection, environmental factors, artificial insemination, and ovulatory failure.

98
Q

What is a common herd problem related to estrus detection?

A

Inadequate estrus detection.

99
Q

What can result from improper timing of insemination?

A

Cows may be inseminated that have not actually been in estrus.

100
Q

What is a potential issue with semen quality that can affect fertility?

A

Inadequate semen quality.

101
Q

What is a consequence of having an insufficient number of sperm during insemination?

A

It can lead to decreased chances of successful fertilization.

102
Q

What can improper insemination techniques lead to?

A

They can result in lower fertility rates.

103
Q

What is a potential issue with the bull that can affect fertility?

A

An infertile bull can lead to unsuccessful breeding.

104
Q

What are some inflammatory conditions that can affect cow fertility?

A

Uterine infection (metritis, endometritis) and cervical or vaginal infection (cervicitis, vaginitis).

105
Q

What pathological conditions can impact cow fertility?

A

Obstructed oviduct, anatomical defects of the reproductive tract, and ovulatory defects such as delayed ovulation.

106
Q

What factors can contribute to fertility issues in cows?

A

Factors can be due to the cow, bull (AI, sperm), and management aspects such as oestrous detection and insemination.

107
Q

What is the incidence of repeated breeding in dairy herds using AI compared to natural service?

A

The incidence of repeated breeding is higher in dairy herds using AI than in those using natural service.

108
Q

What is a common cause of repeated breeding in dairy herds?

A

Failure of oestrus detection is a common cause of repeated breeding in dairy herds.

109
Q

How does embryonic mortality change with parity in dairy cows?

A

Embryonic mortality decreases with increasing parity up to the fifth pregnancy, then it increases.

110
Q

What genetic factor can contribute to repeated breeding in dairy cows?

A

Chromosomal abnormalities can contribute to repeated breeding in dairy cows.