The Peripartum Ruminant p279-285

Question 1

During the past 10 years, what has occurred that has been associated with higher incidences of complications during pregnancy and neonatal mortality?

A) Larger factory farming and less small, family farms
B) Advances in reproductive technologies with in vitro and cloned embryos
C) Higher milk production rates and beef cattle growth rates
D) More restrictions on over-the-counter drug usage

Answer 1

B) Advances in reproductive technologies with in vitro and cloned embryos

Question 2

What are some risk factors in cattle for uterine torsions?

Answer 2

Poor maternal muscle tone, strong fetal movements and reduced rumen fill

Question 3

Approximately A) ___% of torsions involve the vagina and most of these occur to the B) RIGHT or LEFT.

Answer 3

A) 60%

B) Left - uterus rolls toward and over the nongravid horn

Question 4

What is the primary predisposition to cervicovaginal prolapse in cattle?

A) Increased intraabdominal pressure in late pregnancy
B) Obesity
C) Elevated plasma estrogen concentration in late gestation
D) Poor vaginal confirmation
E) Genetics, with Bos indicus, Herefords, Charolais, Limousin and Shorthorns more affected

Answer 4

C) Elevated plasma estrogen concentration in late gestation

All others are considered to be predispositions as well

Question 5

T/F Topical PGE 2 is effective in causing dilation of the cervix in cases of ringwomb

Answer 5

F

Sheep are the most common species to be affected and there may be a genetic composition. Treatment involves gentle manual stretching could help, but cesarean section may be imperative

Question 6

Early dilation syndrome occurs in sheep with the incomplete dilation of the cervix occurring 7-14 days before term. How is it determined that this syndrome is occurring vs actually parturition?

Answer 6

The ewe will have no or minimal udder development or sudden overnight blooming; if the lambs are born, they are not viable

Question 7

Determine if the condition is described is hydrops allantois or hydrops amnii.

This condition is caused by placental dysfunction, reduction of placentomes and development of primitive villous placentation
An increased incidence has been reported with pregnancies derived from IVF-produced embryos
Fluid accumulation may exceed 100 L
Fetus and placentomes are NOT palpable
Poor prognosis, slaughter recommended, future fertility guarded

Answer 7

Hydrops allantois

Question 8

Determine if the condition described is hydrops allantois or hydrops amnii.

This condition is rare
Associated with a genetic (autosomal recessive) or congenitally defective fetus in which swallowing is impaired
Can accumulate 20-100 L of fluid
Placentomes and often the fetus can be palpated
Prognosis for the life and fertility of the cow is good

Answer 8

Hydrops amnii

Question 9

When the gestational age of the fetus is known, which of the listed fetal parameters CANNOT be measured via abdominal US to determine if fetal growth retardation is present?

A) Orbital circumference
B) Abdominal circumference
C) Femur length
D) Tibial length

Answer 9

A) Orbital circumference is not used to measure fetal growth retardation

Question 10

This is a marker of a viable fetalplacental unit, is used to diagnose pregnancy in small ruminants after 50 days and in cattle after 100 days. Measure in plasma or milk. Rises slowly during second trimester, and rises rapidly in last trimester around 10 days prior to parturition

A) Relaxin
B) Estrone sulfate
C) Progesterone
D) Oxytocin

Answer 10

B) Estrone sulfate - the endometrium converts estrogen from the embryonic tissue to estrone sulfate, values are low after fetal loss

Question 11

For cattle, sheep and goats, how close to estimated parturition date should induction occur?

A) Cattle and goats - within 14 days; Sheep - within 5 days
B) Cattle - within 5 days; Sheep and goats - within 14 days
C) Cattle and sheep - within 14 days; Goats - within 5 days
D) Cattle - within 14 days; Sheep and goats - within 5 days

Answer 11

D) Cattle within 14 days; Sheep and goats - within 5 days

Question 12

How do steroids given to the dam affect lung maturation in the fetus?

Answer 12

If given at the appropriate time, steroids can promote the production of surfactant phospholipids by Type II pneumocytes, reduce microvascular permeability, enhance the expression of surfactant-associated proteins, accelerate lung maturation

Question 13

Induction of cattle 14 days prior to anticipated calving date does what for the body weight of the calf?

Answer 13

Reduces it by 3.2 kgs in beef cattle

Question 14

List some ways to induce parturition in ruminants.

Answer 14

Dexamethasone 20-30 mg alone or in combination with 25 mg of PGF2alpha in cattle

Dexamethasone 10-20 mg alone or in combination 15 mg PGF2alpha in sheep and goats

Glucocorticoids are more effective than prostaglandins in sheep

Combination of dex with prostaglandins reduces the interval to parturition (from 72 to 36 hours)

Question 15

Describe the flow of oxygenated blood from dam to fetus.

Answer 15

There is a high oxygen affinity of fetal versus adult Hg. Oxygenated blood reaches the fetus via the umbilical vein, travels toward the liver and joins the portal vein, where is it 2/3rds is shunted via the ductus venous to the right atrium. Through the foramen ovale, blood from the right atrium is shunted to the left atrium.

Question 16

Describe the process of lung clearing in the neonate during parturition.

Answer 16

The rupture of the umbilicus stimulates gasping and respiratory movements and increased peripheral vascular resistance, which dispels some liquid present in the lungs. Liquid is also quickly absorbed through the lung parenchyma, promoted by the passage of the fetus through the birth canal and facilitated by adrenaline-mediated alpha receptors. Increased oxygen saturation of blood stimulates closure of the ductus arteriosus.