Principles of infertility Flashcards
What are the types of anatomical causes of infertility in females
Congenital / development
Acquired
Give examples of pathophysiological causes of infertility in females
Ovarian pathology:
- Anovulatory anoestrus
- Cystic ovarian disease
- Persistent CL
Uterine infection:
- Pyometra, endometritis, metritis
Failure to establish pregnancy
Describe management causes of infertility in females
Nutrition
Oestrus detection
Genetic
Timing/management of mating/AI
Expectation
Stress
Give examples of anatomical causes of infertility in females that present at birth/puberty of first breeding
Ovarian hypoplasia (1)
Reproductive dysplasia
Free-martinism / Inter-sex (2,3)
Persistence of hymen (mare) (4)
Give examples of acquired anatomical causes of infertility in females
Adhesions (e.g. Ovario-bursal, hydrosalphinx) (5)
Endometrial fibrosis
Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (bitch) (6)
Reproductive tract neoplasia (uncommon)
What are the typical presentations of a pathological ovary?
Oestrus not observed (ONO)
Barren/empty at pregnancy diagnosis
Persistent oestrus
Irregular oestrous cycle
What are the possible underlying causes of a pathological ovary?
Lack of normal follicular growth / oestradiol1
Lack of GnRH / gonadotrophin
Lack of an LH surge
Lack of endometrial PGF2A production
How is a pathological ovary diagnosed?
Hormone analysis i.e. progesterone
Ovarian (uterine) palpation
Ovarian (and uterine) ultrasonography – range of presentation from small, inactive ovaries to gross enlarged follicular structure
What are the types of pathological ovary?
Anovulatory oestrus - cow, dog, pig, mare
Cystic ovarian disease - cows, sows
Persistent CL - cows, mares
Describe the features of anovulatory anoestrus
Lack of cyclicity
Delayed return post-partum / season
Associated with NEB (-ve energy balance)
After pregnancy failure (mare)
Describe the features of cystic ovarian disease
Follicular structure that fail to ovulate and persist
Follicular or Luteal
Describe the features of persistent CL
Failure to return to oestrus
CL persists in absence of pregnancy
Describe the treatment option for pathological ovary
Promote ovarian function i.e. gonadotrophin via GnRH / ECG
Mimic luteal phase (with progesterone)
Induce luteinisation (ovulation) via GnRH / LH
Induce luteolysis (if luteal tissue is present) - prostaglandin F2A
When is repro tract infection/inflammation likely to occur in females?
Ovaritis is very rare
Endometritis, cervicitis, vaginitis common in cows, mares and dogs
Typically presented post-partum (associated with retained fetal membranes, dystocia) or post-mating
How does repro tract infection/inflammation cause infertility in females?
Reduced conception / pregnancy establishment
Adverse effects on ovarian function
What is the treatment for repro tract infection/inflammation
Stimulation of uterine contractions
Antibiotics
Describe the ways in which pregnancy fails to establish
Conception failure:
- inappropriate mating/AI timing
- delayed or lack of ovulation
- chromosomal abnormalities
Early embryonic death:
- poor embryonic development
- failure to secrete maternal recognition signal
Describe the nutritional influences on infertility
Specific mineral deficiencies/toxicities:
- Copper
- molybdenum
- Selenium
Management of pregnant / transition animal
Oestrogenic substances in plants
Dietary proteins leading to increased plasma urea
Describe second litter syndrome
anovulatory anoestrus:
- still in negative energy balance post-partum
- reduced gonadotrophin/IGF1 levels
- causes weaker, less viable puppies in second litter
define fertility
capability of producing offspring
define sterility
absolute inability to producing offspring
Define subfertility
less than average ability to produce offspring
Describe infertility in veterinary medicine
Can be classified using different systems:
- anatomical, physiological, management causes
- obstructive, non-obstructive, coital
- inability to achieve coitus, inability to fertilise
Give examples of abnormalities of coitus that may cause in or sub fertility
Immaturity and inexperience
Inability or unwillingness to mount
Inability to achieve intromission
Haemospermia
What are possible causes of failure of fertilisation in males
Testicular disease
Sperm abnormalities (may be associated with gross testicular or epididymal disease)
Epididymal lesions
Accessory gland disease (remember not all species have every type of accessory gland)
Give examples of reasons for a male to be unable to achieve intromission
What is abnormal in this semen sample?
mid piece deviation & some dead sperm
