Reproduction Flashcards
how long does involution of the uterus take?
3-4 weeks
how long for placenta not to be passed to be classed as retained foetal membranes in cows?
> 24 hours
risk factors for metritis/ endometritis?
retained foetal membranes> abortion> dystocia> twins> milk fever> parturition induction
bacteria responsible for metritis/ endometritis
E.coli
Trueperella pyogenes
Dichelobacter nodosus
Fusobacterium necrophorum
purulent uterine discharge detectable in vagina up to 21 days post partum
metritis or endometritis?
metritis
purulent uterine discharge detectable in vagina > 21 days post partum
metritis or endometritis?
endometritis
which grade of metritis is this
enlarged uterus and uterine discharge but no pyrexia
grade 1
which grade of metritis is this
enlarged uterus, pyrexia >39.5 C, overt systemic illness of decreased milk yield, decreased appetite
called puerperal metritis
Grade 2
which grade of metritis is this
toxic metritis, signs of toxaemia, cold extremities and dullness
grade 3
accumulation of purulent discharge within uterus lumen
in the presence of a corpus luteum and closed cervix (on US)
cow not seen in heat
mixed infection
treated with PGF
pyometra
cow with nymphomania in anoestrus
on US cyst is: thin walled 2.5-2.7 mm fluid filled internal diameter >35mm for longer than 10 days cx
follicular ovarian cyst
when may a follicular ovarian cyst be in inactive?
if corpus luteum on other ovary present and <2cm
or
follicle has not been exposed to P4 from corpus luteum
how should you treat a follicular cyst if
<30 days in milk
> 30 days in milk
you’ve treated the cyst and the cow comes into heat. can the farmer AI her?
<30 days in milk: leave
> 30 days in milk: Burst with GnRH or progesterone in PRID
no. oocyte is old and infertile, wait till next oestrus
cow with nymphomania in anoestrus
on US cyst is: thick walled 5-6 mm fluid filled internal diameter 28-30mm for longer than 10 days cx fluid filled lacuna (in cl)
luteal cyst (lutenised follicular cyst)
what causes follicular cysts
any reason failure to ovulate
which uterine discharge score is this:
clear or translucent
0
which uterine discharge score is this:
flecks of white or off white pus
1
which uterine discharge score is this:
<50ml exudate containing <50% of white or off white material
2
which uterine discharge score is this:
> 50ml exudate containing purulent material, usually white or yellow but occasionally bloody
3
when does an FSH wave occur post partum, stimulating the first follicular wave?
2 weeks
successful ovulation of the first dominant follicle post partum depends on what factors?
size of dominant follicle
LH pulse frequency
IGF-I bioavailability
define abortion
any foetus dead or alive born 270 days or earlier after conception
primary or secondary agents cross fetomaternal barrier?
primary
primary or secondary agents cross pre damaged fetomaternal barrier?
secondary
Brucella abortus BVD Leptospirosis hardjo Neospora caninum BHV-1 Pararinfluenza 3 Bacillis licheniformis Fungi Campylobacterosis
Primary abortion agent, secondary abortion agent, non infectious cause of bovine abortion?
Primary abortion agents
which primary abortion agent is notifiable
brucella abortus
Salmonella
Listeria monocytogenes
Primary abortion agent, secondary abortion agent, non infectious cause of bovine abortion?
Secondary abortion agent
deficiencies in which nutrients can lead to abortion
Selenium
Vitamin A
Iodine
Non infectious causes of abortion?
Nutritional deficiencies Developmental abnormalities alfatoxin/ nitrate/nitrite toxins trauma hyperthermia twinning
Diagnosed by routine bulk milk tank sampling in dairy
dams blood and vaginal swab only if not milking
zoonotic
notifiable
brucellosis
Pregnant cow infected with BVD in days 0-95
sequalae?
abortion/ foetal reabsorption
non cytopathic form crosses feto-maternal barrier
Pregnant cow infected with BVD in days 95-120
sequalae?
Persistently infected calf born
non cytopathic form crosses feto-maternal barrier
would a PI calf born have positive or negative
antigens to BVD
antibodies to BVD
Clinical signs
any changes in clinical signs means what
positive antigens
negative antibodies
stunted and grows poorly
BVD virus inside a PI(non cytopathic form)> spontaneously converts to cytopathic form
» death of the PI from mucosal disease.
»>This usually happens age 6 months – 2 years.
Pregnant cow infected with BVD in days 120-285
sequalae?
seropositive foetus
congenital lesions
abortions due to placentitis
(non-cytopathic form crosses fetomaternal barrier)
sequalae if healthy cow infected with BVD non cytopathic form?
can cause diarrhoea, although it may be asymptomatic
abortions in pregnant cattle
sequalae if healthy (non PI) calf infected with non cytopathic BVD?
diarrhoea or may exacerbate other diseases (eg pneumonia)
Transmission route of BVD
nasal secretions, saliva or dung
How can a PI calf be a source of
a) horizontal transmission
b) vertical transmission
of BVD?
a) horizontal transmission= spread in nasal secretions, saliva and dung to other members of the herd
b) vertical transmission= pass to her own calf. her calf will be a PI.
can healthy cows become infected with cytopathic form BVD?
not commonly seen
how to diagnose BVD?
bulk milk test quarterly
- Bulk tank PCR detection limit one in 300
- 50% of herds seropositive to antigens probably
ear notch tissue test
check test: annual monitoring: 5 bloods per group to test antibodies
(seroconvert ie antigen> antibody over 3 weeks)
zoonotic
2 forms: hardjo - prajitno and hardjo-bovis
resides in kidneys and can be excreted for a long time
lower fertility, abortion, still birth, PI of repro tract, retained fetal membranes
dx by
bulk milk tank antibodies
serology by MAT (microscopic agglutination test)
identification of agent from aborted tissue, blood or urine by PCR
which bovine abortion agent is this?
Leptospirosis hardjo
Treatment for leptospirosis hardjo
dihydrostreptomycin
oxytetracycline
long course
early treatment reduces risk of latent carrier status
outcome of infection with neospora
10% abort
80% PI
10% normal/ weak
diagnosis for neospora
management of positive cases?
maternal serology for antibodies
test calf at birth or histopathology on aborted calf
breed to beef
BHV-1, which strain causes abortion disease?
infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR)
other strain is IPV = Infectious Pustular Vulvovaginitis
which abortion agent
latent carriers in trigeminal ganglion
recrudescence under stress
can cause resp and repro symptoms but unusually to get both at once
BHV-1 (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis strain )
management of IBR?
intranasal marker vaccine
rispoval/ bovilis
which species of salmonella can cause abortion
found in faeces, feed, fomites
is zoonotic
salmonella dublin
when should you give vaccine for salmonella dublin?
2months pre calving
which abortion agent
causes
chronic endometritis and early embryonic death
abortions
Campylobacter fetus venerealis> chronic endometritis and early embryonic death and abortions 4-5 months
campylobacter fetus fetus> abortions
expected thyroid weight calculation
(foetal weight (kg)/2) - 3
may be enlarged with iodine deficiency
estimating age of abortion from calf carcass
using tibial length (L) gestation age (days)
L<58mm
L=58-163mm
L>160mm
L<58mm, then days = (1.7L) + 68
L=58-163mm, then days = (0.91L) + 114
L>160mm, then days =L+105
can you do the following post mortem examinations on farm or have to send off?
- crown-rump length ref gestational age
- thyroid gland weight enlargedindicates iodine deficiency
- fractures/haemorrhages
- fluid compartment –itis
- placentitis
- liver rupture- often sign of dystocia/ trauma
- meningeal haemorrhage / oedema
on farm yourself
can you do the following post mortem examinations on farm or have to send off?
- Placentome or placenta
- Spleen: bvd pcr
- Liver: IBR + bacteriology
- Stomach contents: bacti e.g. Salm; campy
- Kidney: lepto
- Brain: Neospora
- Left ventricle
- Thyroid
- Eyelid: ureaplasma; fungal hyphae in hair follicles
- Paired dam serology
send off
Which diseases of tested for routinely in bulk milk tank
BVD
Lepto
Neospora
Johnes
which disease is tested for from Sheath/vaginal washing
campylobacteriosis
list issues causing fertility issues in cattle
Drop in social status
Caesarean
Bad calving
Low body condition
Lameness- lame cows have first CL and first oestrus later and lower intensity than normal. Oestrus behaviours reduced. Do not respond as well to progesterone synchronisation regime.
Mastitis- first CL and first oestrus later, smaller follicles, reduced fertility, longer to ovulate if synchronised
Milk fever- endometritis, RFM, difficult calving, sub clinical low calcium
High milk yield- signs of standing oestrus decrease with yield + more silent heats
what % of bulls should get 50 normal cycling healthy female pregnant cows pregnant within 9 weeks
90%
60% should be pregnant within 1st 3 weeks (1st cycle)
how could the following conditions reduce a bulls fertility
A) poor eyesight, low libido
B) lameness, back pain, small size
C) penile papilloma, penile deviations eg corkscrew, hock OCD
D) scrotal circumference <34cm
E) infection/ too fat/ dermatits of scrotum
A= cant detect cows in heat
b) cant mount cows
c) cant serve cows
d) less able to produce viable sperm
e) heats up testicles, less viable sperm
ideal BCS of bull about to be used for bulling
3-3.5
fat bulls= lower libido
how to libido test a bull
bull put with cow in hear
serve her within20 mins, ideally within 10
minimum scrotal circumference
if over 2 years
30cm
34cm if over 2 years
what gross motility score for bull sperm is accepted
> 3/5
what % of linear progressive motility is accepted for bull semen
> 60%
what is the accepted % for correct sperm morphology for bull semen
> 70%
how does the following developmental abnormalities affect semen evaluation
distal midpiece reflex
proximal droplet
distal midpiece reflex»_space; affects progressive motility
proximal droplet»_space; prevents binding to ova
what is used to detect WBC in semen
methylene blue
method of bull semen collection
a. Artificial vagina
b. Electroejaculation
1-2 mins massage ampullae, keep everything warm
High vol and lower conc semen
c. Transrectal ampullary massage
d. Internal artificial vagina
Risks spread of venereal disease
Welfare aspect of retrained mount animals
With all bulls get involuntary leg extension and some will vocalis
how to treat penile haematoma
sudden bending to erect penis> rupture of tunica albugina
cull
medical <15cm
sexual rest for 2 months,
cold hosing for 4 days followed by warm hosing and massage for 3 weeks.
Antibiotics to stop abscess formation and NSAIDs
Surgical: removal of blood clot and suturing of tunica albuginea, followed by medical tx.
what nerve block is required for surgical removal of penile fibropapilloma
pudendal
what is a persistent frenulum and how should it be managed?
prepuce attached to penis (normally breaks at puberty)
dont keep to breed replacement bulls
how should preputial prolapse be treated?
surgery to remove scarring to allow penis to be exteriorised
how long does spermatogenesis take in bull
60 days
hydrocoele scrotal fat adhesions dermatitis pyrexia
all cause what
testes issues causing reduced spermatogenesis
Cows
endometritis after service, failure to concieve late embryonic death, abortion at 4-5 months
Dx: Vaginal mucus culture, low sensitivity so best to test in bulls first
Sequalae: develop immunity after a few months (immunity lasts 15 months) and can get pregnant again but may shed for 1 year
Epi: if endemic, affects heifers more as cows have established immunity (so long as exposure continues)
which sexually transmitted disease is this?
campylobacter fetus venerealis
Bulls
no clinical signs, purely carriers
Dx: sheath washing and culture – APHA sampling kit
Sequalae: do not develop immunity
Tx: streptomycin – then retest with 2 preputial washings after 30 days, 3-7 days apart and repeated in another 30 days
Which sexually transmitted disease is this?
campylobacter fetus venerealis
as bulls age crypts in prepuce get bigger-> campylobacter harder to eradicate
how to control campylobacter fetus venerealis
use AI for 2 years
separate infected from non infected
autogenous vaccine?
protozoa – not found in UK
Bulls: transient balanoposthitis, asymptomatic carriers
Females: mucoflocculent discharge 1 week after service. May cause abortion at 2-4 months, may lead to pyometra
epi: once endemic, mostly heifers affected
which sexually transmitted disease is this
Trichomonas fetus
no tx, control as per other STDs
BHV-1 genetically distinct from cause of IBR, venereal spread by carrier animals, incubation 1-3 days
Bull: inflammation of glans penis and prepuce
Cow: mucopurulent vaginal discharge.
Inflammation of the vaginal and vulvar mucosa with pustules which become ulcers
Diagnosis: PCR or FAT on swabs, or paired serology
Which sexually transmitted disease is this?
Infectious Pustular Vulvovaginitis (IPV)
No specific treatment, will get better without treatment
Not asc with abortion or resp disease
Uncommon in UK
which stage of parturition is this
should take 3-6 hours
The cow separate herself from herd mates
Appetite decrease
Frequently alternate between lying and standing
A thick string of mucus is often seen hanging from the vulva
Towards the end abdominal straining occur more frequently, usually every 2-3 minutes
when should intervention occur?
Stage 1: dilation of the cervix
no progress after 6 hours, possible twisted uterus
extreme discomfort
bleeding from vulva
which stage of parturition is this
Should take 30-60 mins
Begins with membranes at the vulva
Water bag ruptures
Cervix dilates with further pressure from calf
Powerful reflex and voluntary contractions of abdominal muscle and diaphragm (“straining”)
when should intervene?
Stage 2: delivery of calf
no progress of 1 hour of waterbag showing
extreme discomfort
bleeding from vulva
which stage of parturition is this
should take 6-12 hours
usually happens very quickly
when should intervene
expulsion pf placenta
RFM if > 24 hours or >12 hours since delivery of calf
what is an episiotomy and what is it used for?
incision into vulva to prevent uncontrolled ripping
as calf head passes through vulva cut at 10/11 oclock or 1/2 oclock
what happens if make epiostomy incision at 12 o clock position
rectovaginal fistula
are these major or minor indications for a caesarean
foetal-maternal disproportion in size
irreducible uterine torsion
insufficient cervical dilation
major
are these major or minor indications for a caesarean
foetal malrepresentation
abnormal calf where embryotomy cant be used
dead emphysematous calf
constricted vaginal and vestibulum where massage cannot relieve constriction
minor
when doing a caesarean, which LA block would you use
paravertebral nerve block is preference
where to incise for cow caesarean
handbredth below transverse process and handbredth behind last rib
vertical incision or angled incision length of finger to elbow
cause of uterine prolapse in cows?
hypocalcaemia
what suture should you use to close up prolapse fix?
buhner suture
risk factors for uterine torsion?
poor rumen fill
space in abdomen
hilly land
standing up and lying down
majority of uterine torsions occur in which direction?
anticlockwise when stood behind cow
90-360 degrees
a cow due to calf appears to be at start of parturition no straining tail slightly raised down
vaginal exam feel lip in front of cervix
uterine torsion
3 methods to correct uterine torsion?
‘Swing’ calf with coordinated ballottement of abdomen to flip the calf and uterine horn back into the correct position
Roll the cow: Majority of cases, roll cow from left lateral recumbency, onto her back, and into right lateral recumbency
Caesarean section – if Unable to untwist uterus
definition of heritability
part of the phenotypic variation that is due to heritable gene effects
High heritability estimate for a trait means that we can more easily improve that through genetic selection
define phenotypic correlation
measure the direction and strength of association between observed performance/ phenotypes
(eg milk yield/ protein, live weight/ fat depth
define genotypic correlation
Genetic correlations: direction and strength of association between genetic merit for two traits
• Genes affecting more than one traits (pleiotropy)
• Closely linked genes affecting two traits
define breeding value
added genetic meritability of the animal
positive zero or negative
5 health and management aspects that drive suckler herd production
cow fertility calf management restricted breeding season best calving season bull fertility management replacement management breeding evalution bull fertility good herd health
ideal duration of calving season in beef suckler herd?
9-12 weeks
benefits of compact calving season
√ Cow reproductive fitness √ Favourable environment √ Heifer selection √ Management procedures √ Disease control √ Calving supervision / work efficiency √ Strategic nutrition √ Homogenous group at sale
target age for heifers at first calving
2 years
target calving period duration for heifers
6 weeks, ensure calve early in the period to give more time for uterine involutiona nd growth
main KPI for suckler herd is
calfs weaned: cows to bull
88:100
21 day calving rate target
> 65%
