Brief Discussion of encountered Reproductive Problems

All the recorded and published data describe that metritis and anoestrus are the most common
defects affecting reproductive efficiency of dairy animals, particularly in buffalo. Most other encountered
problems offer no difficulty to veterinarians specializing in the field of reproduction in their diagnosis such
as prolapse of the vagina and uterus, retained placenta, dystokia, abortion, etc. The specialist
veterinarians need to diagnose and treat them based on their knowledge of DVM degree course. Two
issues of clinical differential diagnosis in a very large percentage will be described below for the
knowledge and information of the post-graduate students.

Differential diagnosis of ovarian defects

The following variation of dairy animals oestrous cycles are known:
(i). Normal oestrous cycles duration is 21-23 days.
(ii). Short oestrous cycles, duration varies from ten to twelve days, oestrous period is of duration 34 days sign of cystic ovaries.
(iii). Long oestrous cycles are of 28 or more days duration.
(iv). Anoestrus- A state of non-expression of oestrus over a long period of time (both in growing
heifers or adult cows).

Differential diagnosis of anoestrus

1. When an owner or examiner of a herd gives a report that his particular cow or buffalo suffers from
anoestrus, the examining veterinarian must first make it sure that its uterus is in a non pregnant
state. The small holders are sometimes not in the knowledge that the female has received a breeding
service. This is truer in animals which have been purchased by the owners from some other sources.
It must always be kept in mind that pregnancy is a sure cause of anoestrus. If the animal is found to
be pregnant, its stage of pregnancy be ascertained and accordingly diagnosis is conveyed to the
owner or the Farm Manager.
2. While examining uterus for pregnancy, certain pathological conditions of uterus can also cause a
retained corpus luteum in the ovary resulting in a state of anoesturs. These conditions are:
(a). Pyometra, a type of chronic metritis;
(b). Mummified Foetus and
(c). Uterine Maceration.
In these conditions also there is no need to palpate ovaries. The first two conditions (a and
b) when diagnosed are treatable conditions. The prognosis of the last condition is generally grave
and the animals need to be disposed off for meat purpose.
Once it is confirmed that the animal is non-pregnant and its uterus shows no signs of any
abnormality, the next thing to decide is whether the animal is cycling or non-cycling. This requires a very
gentle and careful examination of both ovaries. In cows detection of oestrus is generally not difficult as

the signs of heat are quite pronounced and of a sufficiently larger duration. Among buffaloes the
detection of oestrus is rather problematic as they come in heat during night time and its duration in some
cases is of a short duration. In this case a mid-night observation is now a standard practice, in the other
case it requires the use of deviated penis teaser to be left among the females during night, those marked
by the teaser are picked up in the morning for insemination or natural mating. Earlier used vasectomized
teasers are no longer in use since 1980 as they would detect females in heat but also serve the detected
females thus maximizing the chances of introduction of infection from the affected cows to the others.
These are the general husbandry practices to be used for females that are cycling but are ordinarily
difficult for detection of oestrus (weak heat or silent heat).
In a clinical situation, the veterinarian after palpation of both ovaries has to decide whether the
female is cycling or not cycling. A normally cycling female is one whose one or both ovaries show the
presence of one of the two structures (a graafian follicle or a corpus luteam). The size and texture of
these structures vary at different stages of the oestrus cycle. If the follicular structure is dominant, this is
the follicular phase of the cycle and the animals could be in heat at any time depending upon the size of
the follicle. After ovulation, the follicular space is transformed into a corpus luteum which persists and
attains its maximum size by the mid cycle giving the oestrus cycle its luteal phase. The size of corpus
luteum and its texture helps in the determination of its age (see the attached pictures to familiarize the
determination of its stage of oestrous cycle). Determination of the age of the cycle helps in predicting the
occurrence of the next oestrus period (See following Table for necessary explanation).

Table. Showing Estrous Cycle of the Cow (Clinical Findings Emphasized) (Source: R. Zemjanis, 1962)
Days of
Clinical Findings
Estrou
s Cycle

16-18

Assumed Endocrine Situation

Luteotrophin

from

A.P. reduced

since day 15. this results in reduced

Rectal Palpation

Observed

Ovaries

Uterus

C.L., 20-25 mm. ;

Lightly

follicles, 8-10 mm.

increased

output of progesstins

tonus

external

signs

No. signs of estrus

near

end
19-20

This

results

in

F.S.H.

being

secreted to greater degree from

C.L., 10-15 mm. ;

Tonus present;

Proestrous:

follicles, 8-10 mm.

marked

slightly

A.P., increasing estrogen output

irritability

to

secreted by theca interna cells

manipulations

vulva
swollen,

vestibulum

slightly

reddened;

some

mucus
few

from

signs

vagina,
of

heat

present
21

FSH and estrogens continue to be

CL less than

secreted. Progestins have reached

mm.,

a level which now incites LH

smooth;

secretion. The correct ratio of FSH

and LH causes ovulation. This
largely stops secretion of estrogens

1-4

LH

secretion

continues

and

10

Marked tonus

Vulva

(due

vestibulum

very

increased

reddened,

copious

ovulation, soft area

myometirial

mucous

on ovary or crater

activity

and

other signs of heat

edema

of

Soft

and
after

(OVD)

to

swollen,

discharge

present

endometrium)

New CL reaches 15
by 4

th

day,

Postestrous

edema for 2-3

slight

discharge and slight

luteotrophin is also delivered from

mm.

A.P. formation of the CL with its

rather soft. Old CL

days

secretion of progestins is elicited in

less than 5-6 mm.,

estrum

turn

hard and fibrotic

post

day

postestrus:
mucous

estrous

activity.

days,

postestrous

activity,

days,

postestruous bleeding
4-15

Progestin continues to be secreted

8-day C.L., 18-20

Physiologically

Slight congestions of

under influence of luteotrophin until

mm.; 10-day CL 20-

flaccid

vestibular mucosa at

day

30 mm

15,

pregnancy

then

falls

ensues.

off

unless
If

the end of this period

so,

luteotrophin secretion is maintained

A veterinarian who has learnt the art of determining the age of the oestrus cycle can predict the
fall of the coming oesturs within a margin of 2 to 3 days. When the owner is told about these anticipated
days, he or she is further educated on the possible signs of oestrus (or heat) of whatever minor nature
they may be (frequent urination, expression of restlessness, lack of appetite, swelling of external genitalia,
mucous discharge from the vulva), the owner is asked to bring it to the notice of a veterinarian or on A.I.
technician for insemination or natural mating.
Use of ultrasonography makes it much easier and definite to detect these structures on the
ovaries. Hopefully this could be demonstrated to the entire class on their proposed visit to the
Departmental clinics operating at the new campus of the university. Veterinarians responsible for the
operation of that clinics have this facility of ultrasonography.
3. If the ovarian examination reveals no structures on their surface (G.F. or CL.) and have smooth surfaces,
these are called inactive ovaries or non-cycling females. These are the true cases of anoestrus. Their
detailed environmental conditions need to be examined (stage of lactation, plane of nutrition, general

health, any debilitating condition such as due to parasitism, provision of shelter and availability of the
water, etc.)
Generally such animals are recorded to be under fed. Putting them on proper levels of nutrition
for a definite period will help them in bringing them to a cyclic stage for restoration of their normal
reproductive life.
Differential diagnosis of Various Types of Metritis
Post-parturient period is associated with various forms of infections either because of
encountered problems such as prolapse, retain placentas and existence of dystokias. Otherwise also in
unhygienic conditions, since the cervix remains open for a long time, non-specific infections easily gain
access into the uterus causing definite inflammatory reactions. The problem starts as an acute reaction
first giving rise to a condition of acute metritis.
Symptoms of acute metritis
Enlarge size of uterine horns filled with fluid containing pus. In some cases besides local
symptoms, generalized symptoms in the form of high rise of temperature (Pyrexia) appear as a
complication requiring symptomatic treatment. The farm management or the owner of the cow/buffalo
looking at the pusy discharge from vulva can usually report the disease to the supervising veterinarian.
Diagnosis is easy based on the history, external clinical findings and the rectal examination. Isolating the
animal and provision of hygienic comfortable environment helps in early recovery of the patient.

Treatment of choice
Best way is to determine sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics.

Infuse with desired doses of

penicillin and streptomycin in 50 to 100 ml of sterilized distilled water depending upon the size of the
uterus. Extra-large volumes are to be avoided so as not to push infection towards the fallopian tubes. By
third day uterine size and decrease in pus discharge will indicate the effectiveness of treatment. Continue
infusion for two more days to allow complete recovery.
In case of non-response, shift to the treatment with tetracycline in the above described way (4 to
5 infusions). Most cases (almost 90-95%) respond to the penicillin-streptomycin treatment, the remaining
5-10% response to tetracycline treatment. Those non-responding will take the shape of sub-acute or
chronic form of metritis and are generally not curable.
Sub-acute Metritis
Animals not treated in acute form, after the lapse of a certain period, are transformed in sub-acute
form due to bodys own defense mechanism,. Still the uterine horn size is large and the mucus discharge
shows the presence of pus, treatment as discussed above for acute form.
Chronic endometritis

Animals comes into heat at regular intervals and its mucus discharge is clear of any pusy
material. The animal is bred or inseminated three times without any success. After third breeding or
insemination if she still repeats, the A.I. technician instead of insemination brings it to the notice of
veterinarian for diagnosis and appropriate treatment. After examination during oestrous, the animals is not
inseminated or bred but is re-examined at a time when she has gone out of oestrous. If after this interval
of 7-10 days, the uterine walls are still found to be thickened, it is diagnosed as a case of endometritis.
Treatment of choice is intra-uterine infusion of 3-5% lugols iodine solution (50-100 ml) depending
upon the size of the uterus. In some cases, a repeat treatment may be required fo full recovery. After
lugols treatment, the animal is not bred in the next coming cycle. On the next appearing oesturs, the
animal be bred or inseminated for a good conception rate.
Pyometera
Another form of chronic metritis is to be differentially diagnosed from normal pregnancy. Uterine
wall thick, doughy and paretic (no membrane slip test, no cotyledons) persistent CL results in a state of
anoesturs. Treatment needs to initiate contraction of uterine wall leading to evacuation of the pus either
by infusion of stilboesterol or use of PGF2 for lysis of CL and initiation of uterine contraction. If the
animal comes back to oestrus, it be rested for the first cycle and bred on the next appearing oestrus
period, in case the mucous discharge show the presence of pus, then instead of breeding, the animal be
given an antibiotic treatment of infusion as described above under acute metritis.

Figure 1. Ovulation Depression

Figure 3. Cross section of ovary containing fully developed
corpus luteum (A). Note the demarcation line (arrow) between the
corpus luteum and ovary proper.

Figure 2. Corpus Hemorrhagicum in the right ovary (arrow). Note the absence of any other functional structures in either of
ovaries

Figure 4. Presence of fully developed corpus luteum in the left ovary. A follicle exceeding 10 mm. in diameter is
present in the right ovary.

Figure 6. Stage of estrus. The follicle in the right ovary in now almost 20 mm. in diameter, the left ovary contains a regressing corpus lute

Figure 7. Day of ovulation. Note the ovulation depression (arrow) the corpus luteum of the left ovary has regressed to the CL1 size, (less

Figure 5. Stage of development of corpus luteum. Observe the corpus hemorrhagicum in the right ovary, the left ovary is static