SA - Feline Reproduction Flashcards
How are the queens ovaries different than the dog?
They are not completely surrounded by the ovarian bursa as in the dog
What is the size of the vagina of the queen as compared to the dog?
It is relatively short - 2cm in length
What aspects of the queen ovary does the ovarian bursa cover?
Only the lateral aspect of the ovary
Ovarian remnant syndrome is more common in the cat than in the dog. Where is ectopic ovarian tissue often found?
Along the suspensory ligament and other structures
How is the penis oriented in the Tom?
It is oriented caudally
Is there an os penis in the Tom?
yes
What unique structure is associated with the glans penis in an intactTom?
spines
What are spines dependent on?
androgens
What are spines diagnostic indicators of?
Testosterone presence - cryptorchidism/iatrogenic exposure
How long does spermatogenesis take in the Tom?
~47 days
What is the orientation of the testes?
cranial to caudal orientation
How is the head of the epididymis oriented?
dorsocranial
How is the body of the epididymis oriented?
dorsolateral testis
How is the tail of the epididymis oriented?
dorsocaudally
What accessory sex glands does the Tom have?
Prostate and bulbourethral glands
When does puberty typically occur in the female cat?
4-12 months
When does puberty typically occur in the male cat?
Average of 9 months - 7-12 months
Do long or short haired cats go into puberty later?
long haired
Does time of year effect puberty?
Yes - it often occurs in spring more than summer and fall
What other factor aside from seasonality and hair coat affects when a cat goes into puberty?
body condition score
What type of breeders are cats?
Long day, seasonally polyestrus
What time of year do cats go through estrus?
January to September
What type of ovulators are cats?
induced ovulators - takes 4 breedings within 2-4 hours
What percentage of queens spontaneously ovulate?
30%
What causes queens to spontaneously ovulate?
Visual, olfactory, or tactile cues from toms
OR
presence/stimulation from owners
What are the parts of the feline estrus cycle?
Proestrus, estrus, interestrus, diestrus, and anestrus
How long is proestrus in cats?
0-2 days
How long is estrus in cats?
2-19 days
How long is interestrus in cats?
8-10 days
How long is diestrus in pseudopregnant cats?
~40 days
How long is anestrus in cats?
~30-90 days
How long is diestrus in pregnant cats?
~60 days
What possible signs can be present in cats during proestrus?
Head rubbing, rubbing face, or vocalization - ‘overly friendly/extra affectionate’
What behaviors are present in a cat during behavioral estrus?
Crouching with back hyperextended, lordosis and tail deviation, treading hind legs, rolling, and yowling
What is different about estrus in cats than in dogs?
Cats do not have serosanguinous discharge
When does interestrus/postestrus happen?
when females do not ovulate
What occurs during interestrus/postestrus?
There is a regression of follicles and new follicular wave
What breeds have very short interestrus periods?
oriental breeds
When does diestrus occur in a cat?
following mating and/or successful ovulation
How long is pregnancy in cats?
63-66 days post ovulation
When does anestrus typically occur in cats?
During short days - October through December
Describe mating in the cat.
Male approaches, positions, and grasps the female’s neck. Intromission and ejaculation is very short. Characterized by intesnse yowling of female. Male quickly dismounds and female rolls repetitively (disoriented rolling) and grooms her perineum. Female refuses male for a period of time. Process repeats.
What typical analyses are done for feline semen evaluation?
Concentration, motility, and morphology
Why is it difficult to evaluate a Tom and its potential fertility?
They provide a low volume sample, there is low concentration, and the morphology is often low
What can be used to collect semen samples in cats?
Artificial vaginas, electroejaculation, and urethral catheterization
What does use for artificial vaginas require?
Extensive training and malleable, willing tom
Not really practical
What is required for electroejaculation in the tom?
General anesthesia and specially sized rectal probes
How is urethral catheterization done?
Sedate the cat with dex (very high dose), pass an open ended tom cat catheter 9 cm into the urethra and gently aspirate upon removal
What is most infertility in cats related to?
Management rather than pathological conditions in the male or female
What will you see on vaginal cytology in cats in estrus?
> 40-60% cornification
What history is important if you are going to do breeding management on a cat?
Make sure there has been approximately 14-16 hours of light and ensure that 4 breedings occurred within 2-4 hours
What can be done to confirm diestrus and when?
Progesterone assay 2 weeks following the tie
How can AI be performed in cats?
vaginally, transcervically, or surgically
How many spermatozoa are required for vaginal AI?
80,000,000 spermatozoa
How many spermatozoa are required for intrauterine AI?
6,000,000 - 8,000,000 spermatozoa
What can be used to induce ovulation in the cat?
hCG, GnRH, and mechanical
What can be used to prevent cyclicity in a cat?
Spay, ovulation induction, and melatonin administration
What type of placenta does a cat have?
zonary, endothelial chorial
What is superfecundation?
When a cat has litters that are sired by multiple sires
What is superfetation?
When a cat becomes pregnant with multiple stages of offspring has been reported
What is the average length of parturition in the cat?
10 hours
Do cats have a progesterone drop prior to whelping like dogs?
Yes, but without the temperature drop
What behaviors do cats show during parturition?
Frequently alternates periods of pacing and purring with delivery of kittens. Queen typically squats during delivery of individual kittens
Why is dystocia difficult to evaluate in cats?
Cats can inhibit or cease parturition during stress so it is hard to determine if it is a true dystocia
What feline breeds are predisposed to dystocia?
Purebreds and brachycephalic breeds
What is done if a cat has dystocia?
PE, vaginal exam, fetal heart rates, oxytocin, and C-section
