Intas Polivet 21 (1): 63-65 Short Communication

Correction of Non-Responsive and Non-Dominant Follicular Cyst in a Cow

S. Satheshkumar1, S. Raja and P. Jayaganthan
Veterinary Clinical Complex
Veterinary College and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS)
Orathanadu
Thanjavur - 614625 (Tamil Nadu)

Abstract
Ultrasonographic investigation of a repeat breeding cow revealed large anaechoic cyst like structure (22.5 mm) in right
ovary and dominant follicle (DF: 12.0 mm) in left ovary. A modified Ovsynch protocol was followed by initiating the treatment
with administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin. Persistence and drastic increase in size of cystic structure (38.4mm)
was observed, eventhough the DF found to be responded with formation of corpus luteum. Since the cyst didn’t respond
for hormonal treatments, it was classified as non-responsive and non-dominant follicular cyst (NDFC). A novel trans-
vaginal approach of ultrasound guided follicular evacuation of cyst was performed under epidural anaesthesia. The animal
returned to cycle normally and there was no recurrence of cystic follicle. The procedure ensures safe collapsing of the
cysts without development of adhesions ensured.
Keywords: Cow; evacuation; follicular cyst; non-responsive; ultrasonography
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Introduction discharge, moderate uterine tonicity and relaxation of

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Cystic degeneration is a follicular dysfunction and cervical os characteristic of oestrus. A large fluctuating
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major cause of reproductive failure in dairy cattle
(Roberts, 1971) with economic impact on dairy
industry. Ovarian follicular cyst (FC) is a consequence
of mature follicle that fails to ovulate at the appointed
time during the oestrous cycle. FCs are generally
defined as follicle like fluid filled structures, with
diameter of >17 mm and persisting for more than six
days on the ovarian surface in absence of corpus
luteum and clearly interfering with normal ovarian
cyclicity (Silvia et al., 2002). However, Calder et al.
(2001) opined a different category of FCs which may
lose their dominance and co-exist along with normal
follicular and luteal turnover without affecting the
cyclicity. The present report documents incidence of
such a ‘Non-dominant follicular cyst’ (NDFC) and also
places on record a novel trans-vaginal approach of
ultrasound guided follicular evacuation for its
management.
History, Clinical Observations, Diagnosis and
Treatment
A Jersey crossbred pluriparous cow (calved twice)
was brought with history of repeat breeding syndrome.
Anamnesis revealed that animal was exhibiting
oestrus signs at regular inter-oestrus intervals and
not conceived for more than 10 inseminations. Routine
gynaeco-clinical examination revealed clear vaginal
1. Professor/Head, and Corresponding author.
E-mail: drsatheshkumar6@rediffmail.com
cyst like structure could be observed on palpation of
right ovary, while left ovary had a soft fluctuating region
resembling dominant follicle (DF).
Ultrasonographic examination (Esoate, MyLab30 Vet
Gold, Italy) was carried out using 7.5-MHz trans-rectal
linear transducer for confirmatory diagnosis. Right
ovary had large anaechoic cyst like structure with
diameter of 22.5 mm and left ovary had normal DF of
12.0 mm diameter (Fig 1a). A modified Ovsynch
protocol was followed by initiating the treatment with
the administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin
(Inj. hCG; 3000 I.U.; I.V.) instead of GnRH. Seven days
later, ultrasonographic examination revealed
presence of corpus luteum on left ovary indicating
that the DF found on previous examination got
ovulated. However, cystic structure on right ovary did
not responded to hCG and persisted with diameter of
22.1 mm (Fig. 1b). Prostaglandin (Inj. Cloprostenol;
500 mcg; i.m) was administered and animal was
inseminated 48 hours later during induced oestrus
along with GnRH analogue (Inj. Buserelin acetate; 10
mcg; i.m).
The animal returned to cycle in next eighteen days.
On ultrasonographic examination, we could observe
that cyst in right ovary persisted and enlarged
drastically (38.4 mm) than previous observation (Fig.
1c). Based on the classification of FCs (Calder et al.,
2001), the cyst was confirmed as ‘non-responsive’ -
NDFC. Since the cyst did not responded to any

63
 Follicular cyst in cow
RIGHT OVARY LEFT OVARY

NDFC DF NDFC

Fig.1a: Day 0: Administration of hCG Fig.1b: Day 7: Persistence of

cyst with ovulation of DF
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CL DF NDFC RCL

Fig.1b: Day 7: Persistence of Fig.1c: Subsequent oestrus: Enlargement of cyst along with normal DF
cyst with ovulation of DF
Ne
ed
l
e

ing Collapsed cyst

ply e
Ap s s u r
pre
Fig. 2: Sequential views of needle puncturing and collapsed cyst
hormonal therapy, mechanical collapsing of cyst was probe, so that the cyst was clearly visible on the
preferred as the option to get rid of ailment. The trans- monitor. The ovary was positioned firmly adjacent to
vaginal approach of ultrasound guided follicular the fornix region focusing the cyst.
evacuation was performed by the single operator as
A sterile 21G hypodermic needle held concealed
follows:
within the fingers of right hand was guided trans-
Under epidural anaesthesia, the transrectal vaginally to fornix region.
ultrasound probe was taken inside the rectum with
left hand. The right ovary which possessed the NDFC Under continuous observation on the monitor, the
was held trans-rectally against the face of the linear needle was pierced through the fornix into the NDFC.

64
 Satheshkumar et al.
By applying mild pressure over the cyst, the cystic
fluid was completely evacuated into the vaginal floor.
Fluid evacuation was appreciated by collapse of cyst
(Fig. 2).
Vagina was douched with Potassium permanganate
solution post cystic evacuation, Anti-inflammatory,
anti-histaminic and antibiotic coverage was followed
for three days.
The animal returned to cycle normally in an interval
of twenty days and there was no recurrence of cystic
follicle in that cycle. It was also observed that the
right ovary was freely movable indicating absence
of adhesions.
Discussion
In recent years, we could observe an increase in
incidence of these NDFCs (4.0 percent) among the
FC conditions in crossbred cows (Gupta et al., 2019).
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The NDFCs are thin walled fluid filled structures
uniquely characterized by their uncontrollable acute
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or chronic increase in diameter and extremely non-
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responsive to regular hormonal therapies. No
nymphomaniac or anoestrus symptoms could be
observed in affected animals, instead the cows are
cyclic with normal follicular turnover, but remains
infertile (cyclic non-breeders or repeat breeders).
Characteristically, cows with FCs have frequent GnRH
or LH pulses leading to prolonged growth of follicles
and increased follicular oestradiol (E2) synthesis.
Concentrations of E2 and progesterone (P4) in follicular
fluid are higher in FCs than in normal DF. Thus FCs
are steroidogenically active structures. On the
contrary, Grado-Ahuir et al. (2011) and Ortega et al.
(2015) have stated that NDFCs have lower
intrafollicular concentrations of E2 and higher P4
concentrations than FCs. They further documented
absence of aromatase and 17 -hydroxylase activity
and lack of P450 arom mRNA expression in NDFCs
and related the same to the degeneration of the
granulosa cell layer. Thus the loss of dominance in
these cysts could be attributed to the decreased
expression of steroidogenic enzyme and gonadotropin
receptor mRNAs associated with degenerated
granulosa cells.These non-steriodogenic cysts are
hormonally inactive and are ‘inert’ space occupying
structures. They do not influence the normal oestrous
cycle and hence can occur together with a corpus
luteum unlike the FCs.
Deficient LH receptors and reduced LH/FSH binding
65
in NDFCs could explain the non-responsiveness of
cows to exogenous GnRH or hCG that are often used
to treat cysts. Hence mechanical collapsing of inert
cyst is the only option to get rid of the ailment. Trans-
rectal manual rupture of FCs is not preferred due to
the well known potential risk of adhesion formation
(Roberts, 1971). Transvaginal ultrasound-guided
follicular aspiration is a safe and good alternative
approach to alleviate the NDFCs. However it requires
specificprobe accessories and manpower of atleast
two skilled physicians to complete the process which
prevents its routine practical application under field
conditions. Hence an alternative, user friendly
approach with regular trans-rectal ultrasonography
utilizing a single operator was developed. The
procedure ensures safe collapsing of the cysts without
development of adhesions.
Better understanding of etiogenesis and therapeutic
approach to alleviate the non-responsive NDFCs is
warranted to avoid unnecessary loss of productive
animals.
References
Calder, M.D., Manikkam, M., Salfen, B.E., Youngquist, R.S.,
Lubahn, D.B., Lamberson, W.R. and Garverick, H.A.
(2001). Dominant bovine ovarian follicular cysts express
increased levels of messenger rnas for luteinizing hormone
receptor and 3²-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase
compared to normal dominant follicles. Biol. Reprod. 65:
471-76.
Gupta, C., Satheshkumar, S., Ganesan, A., Murugan, M.
and Ramprabhu, R. (2019). Management of Follicular Cyst
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Modern Reproductive Techniques for Doubling Farmer’s
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Grado-Ahuir, J.A., Aad, P.Y. and Spicer, L.J. (2011). New
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Microarray analysis of gene expression in granulosa cells.
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Received on: 25.12.2019
Accepted on: 10.02.2020