Reproduction Flashcards
Proactive vet role in managing reproduction
Cycle manipulation/advancing breeding season
Pre-breeding soundness examinations
Use of estimated breeding values
Reactive vet role in reproduction
Investigating infertility
Abortion outbreaks
Dystocia
What are caruncles?
Placental attachment site
Follicle key features
Contains oocyte (egg)
Fluid filled (anechoic on US)
Secretes oestradiol that drives oestrus
Multiple stages of development
Corpus luteum key features
Highly vascularised, transient endocrine gland
Solid (homogenous, medium echogenicity on US)
Progesterone production
Bigger than a follicle
Length of oestrus cycle in a cow
21 days
Length of luteal phase in a cow
17 days
Length of proestrus in a cow
3 days (no signs)
Hormone changes during proestrus in a cow
Decreasing progesterone, increasing oestrogen
What happens 24 hours after an LH surge in the cow?
Ovulation
When should a cow be artificially inseminated?
6h after onset of oestrus (so really as soon as it is observed)
Reason: LH surge mid oestrus, ovulation 24h after LH surge/12h after end of oestrus
How many follicular waves does a cow have per cycle?
2 or 3
Can a cow have more than one follicle at a time?
Yes, new and regressing follicles may be present at the same time
If a cow has an old CL, a large follicle and a small follicle which phase of its cycle is it in?
Follicular phase
Is it possible to determine the difference between a small follicle and a regressing follicle?
No
What phase of the cycle is a cow in with a CL and a large follicle present?
Mid luteal phase (CL is dominant)
Duration of oestrus in the cow
5-18h
Oestrus cycle length in the ewe
17 days
Duration of oestrus in the ewe
24-36h
Time of ovulation in the ewe
30-36 hours from beginning of oestrus (towards end of oestrus)
Oestrus cycle length in the sow
21 days
Duration of oestrus in the sow
48-72h
Timing of ovulation in the sow
35-45 hours from beginning of oestrus
Main challenge with insemination of the cow
Detecting oestrus (for artificial insemination)
Main challenges with insemination of the ewe
Correct ram:ewe ratio and identification of mated ewes
When should a sow be artificially inseminated?
2nd day after onset of standing oestrus, usually two inseminations
What initiates return to oestrus in the sow?
Weaning (LH surge, oestrus within 7 days)
How does the suckling effect prevent oestrus in the sow?
Early follicular activity occurs
Prolactin suppresses LH so ovulation does not occur
Short term acting GnRH actions
Induces LH/FSH surge to hasten ovulation
Hastens impending oestrus
‘Force’ ovulation/leutinisation of cystic structures
How soon after GnRH administration will cows ovulate? How soon after GnRH administration should fixed AI occur?
Ovulation: ~26 hours
AI: ~6 hours (no oestrus signs)
FSH actions
Stimulates antral follicular growth
Product with FSH-like action
eCG
Clinical use of FSH
Superovulation (administer early in follicular wave, often requires repeated doses)
Action of LH
Stimulates maturation of follicles and luteinisation
Provides luteal support
Drug that binds to LH receptor and has LH-like activity
HCG
Clinical uses of LH
Induce ovulation when animals are in oestrus
Force ovulation when there is repeated failure of conception
Treatment of cystic ovaries
Effect of progesterone
Negative feedback on hypothalamus/pituitary (suppresses hypothalamic-gonadal axis), mimics luteal phase and cow will immediately enter follicular phase
What forms do exogenous progestogens come in for cows/ewes?
Vaginal sponges for oestrus induction/synchronisation
What forms do exogenous progestogens come in for mares/sows?
Oral liquid for oestrus suppression, induction or synchronisation (Regumate)
Prostaglandin F2a action
Lysis of mature CL and smooth muscle contraction (termination of luteal phase or induction of abortion/parturition)
Clinical uses of the ecbolic effect of exogenous prostaglandin
Treatment of chronic metritis or pyometra if CL is present
Methods of stimulating onset of cyclicity in ewes
Melatonin
Progestogen sponges for ~14d in combination with eCG/GnRH
Ram effect
Excess fluid accumulation in the allantois (placental origin)
Hydroallantois
Clinical signs of hydroallantois
Bilateral abdominal distension
Uncomfortable
Inappatent
Reduced/absent rumen function due to compression
Recumbency
Tight uterine wall palpable per rectum
Prognosis with hydroallantois
Guarded to poor (if survives cull recommended as poor reproductive performance/recurrence likely)
Excess fluid accumulation in the amnion (fetal origin)
Hydroamnoin
Do hydroamnion or hydroallantois come with fetal abnormalities?
Hydroamnion (fetus not swalling or digesting fluids)
Future breeding prognosis of dam in hydroamnion
Reasonable
Which condition would you suspect if there was a large volume of thick, syrupy fluid and fetal abnormalities at parturition?
Hydroamnion
Treatment for dropsical/’dropsy’ conditions in cows
Induce/terminate pregnancy (prostaglandin/steroids)
Fluids (correct hypovolaemia and electrolyte disturbances)
Trochar and drain fluid