Uterine and ovarian blood flow in a Holstein Friesian cow with aplasia of one uterine horn

The ovarian dynamics and uterine and ovarian blood flows of a 6-year-old (2 parturitions) Holstein Friesian cow with right uterine horn aplasia were observed during two estrous cycles. In one estrous cycle, a corpus luteum (CL) formed in the right ovary, but regression of the CL and subsequent ovulation were not observed. In the other estrous cycle, a CL formed in the left ovary and delayed regression of the CL and subsequent ovulation were observed. The blood velocity of the right uterine artery was lower than that of the left uterine artery throughout both estrous cycles when a CL formed in either the right and left ovary. The blood velocities of the right and left ovarian arteries were unaffected by right uterine horn aplasia and changed depending on the presence of a CL. These results indicated that the blood flow of the right uterine artery was very weak and that aplasia of one uterine horn affects the estrous cycle, especially CL regression.     

Case of Pregnancy in Two Cows with Unicorn Horn of the Uterus either by Artificial Insemination at Ipsilateral or Embryo Transfer at Contralateral Corpus Luteum in the Ovary

Two Holstein heifers and a cow were diagnosed with White Heifer Disease by ultrasonography. Case 1 was a 14 month-old heifer with aplasia of both sides of the uterine horn. In case 2, a primiparous cow and case 3, an 18 month-old heifer, both showed aplasia of the right uterine horn. Case 2 became pregnant by artificial insemination at ipsilateral ovulatory follicle and corpus luteum in the left ovary, while case 3 became pregnant by embryo transfer at 7 days after oestrus with contralateral corpus luteum in the right ovary.     

Effect of the previously gravid uterine horn and postpartum interval on follicular diameter and conception rate in beef cows treated with estradiol benzoate and progesterone

An experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of the side of ovulation with respect to the previously gravid uterine horn on fertility of cows inseminated at one of two periods postpartum. All cows were treated with an intravaginal progesterone insert for 7 d and received estradiol benzoate (2 mg, i.m.) at the time of device insertion, prostaglandin F2alpha (25 mg, i.m.) at the time of device removal, and estradiol benzoate (1 mg, i.m.) 30 h after device removal. All cows were inseminated 28 to 30 h after the second treatment with estradiol benzoate, regardless of observed estrus. Cows treated in Period 1 received inserts at 16 to 20 d postpartum and were inseminated at 25 to 29 d postpartum. Cows treated in Period 2 received inserts at 26 to 30 d postpartum and were inseminated at 35 to 39 d postpartum. Diameter of the largest follicle at insert removal was greater in cows treated in Period 2 (10.1 +/- 0.3; mm +/- SEM) than in cows treated in Period 1 (9.1 +/- 0.3; P < .05). Diameter did not differ with the side of ovulation in respect to the previously gravid uterine horn. Diameter was greater in cows 5 to 9 (10.3 +/- 0.3) than in cows 3 to 4 (9.0 +/- 0.3) or 10 to 13 (9.4 +/- 0.6) yr of age (P < .01). The proportion of cows that ovulated from the ovary contralateral to the previously gravid uterine horn was greater (P < .05) than of those that ovulated from the ipsilateral ovary, and the incidence of ovulation was reduced in cows 3 to 4 yr of age (P < .01). Conception rate tended to be greater for ovulation from the ipsilateral compared with the contralateral ovary, relative to the previously gravid uterine horn (P < .10) and for ovulation from the right than the left ovary (P < .06). Conception rate was less if cows ovulated a follicle that was < 9 mm than a follicle > or = 9 mm in diameter at insert removal (P < .01) and was greater in cows inseminated in June than in April or May (P < .05). In conclusion, in cows in which estrus was synchronized at 25 to 39 d postpartum, ovulation from either the ovary ipsilateral to the previously gravid uterine horn, or the right ovary, tended to increase fertility.     

Segmental aplasia of the left paramesonephric duct in the cow

Segmental aplasia of the left uterine horn in a multiparous Holstein cow was diagnosed by palpation and ultrasonography. Treatment with prostaglandin was unsuccessful in eliminating the fluid from the distended uterine horn. Segmental aplasia should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for cows with nonresponsive uterine enlargement.     

Uterus unicornis in two mares

Two American Paint Horses, a 3-year-old nulliparous mare and a 7-year-old primiparous mare, presented for recent infertility and a pre-breeding examination, respectively. Examination of the internal reproductive tract of both mares using transrectal palpation and ultrasonography revealed the presence of the cervix, uterine body, left uterine horn and bilateral ovaries. The right uterine horn could neither be palpated nor imaged. The clinical diagnosis of uterus unicornis in one mare was confirmed at necropsy, which revealed combined aplasia of the right uterine horn and oviduct.     

Multiple urogenital abnormalities in a Persian cat

A 1.5-year-old female Persian cat was presented for inappetence and azotemia. Ultrasonography and urography revealed multiple abnormalities involving the genitourinary tract, including agenesis of the right kidney and ureter. Gross examination of the abnormal uterus revealed segmental aplasia of right caudal uterine horn causing cranial distension with fluid, a normal left uterine horn, and both normal ovaries. Microscopically, endometrial glands of the right uterine horn were markedly decreased in number. The right uterine horn was hemorrhagic suggesting estrus. This is the first report of this combination of urinary and uterus abnormalities in the veterinary literature.     

Segmental aplasia of uterine body in an adult mixed breed dog.

Segmental aplasia of the uterine body was diagnosed in a 5-year-old, mixed breed bitch. Abdominal radiography and transabdominal ultrasonography revealed marked dilation of fluid-filled uterine horns with no evidence of a uterine body. Sex hormone assays did not detect the presence of estradiol-17 beta; however, progesterone (2 ng/ml) was found in the serum, indicating anestrus. On gross examination of the reproductive tract, the uterine body was absent, apparently never formed. In its place, a cord-like piece of tissue was identified as an aplastic/dysplastic remnant, connecting the cervix and right uterine horn. The tip of the cord-like piece branched into 5 string-like pieces of tissue, 1 of which was connected to the region dividing the left and right uterine horns. Both the uterine horns were dilated markedly revealing hydrometra. Histologically, uterine body remnant tissues from the endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium were detected in proximal and distal parts of the uterine body. The string-like piece of tissue connecting the uterine body remnant and the uterine horn consisted of a round cluster of smooth muscle cells surrounding a central core of adipose tissue with blood vessels. It was concluded that the hydrometra observed in both uterine horns was induced by an obstruction resulting from segmental aplasia in the uterine body. This is the first known report of segmental aplasia in the uterine body of a bitch.     

Distribution of Spermatozoa and Embryos in the Female Reproductive Tract after Unilateral Deep Intra Uterine Insemination in the Pig

The present study was performed to investigate the number of either the spermatozoa or the embryos in the reproductive tracts of sows after unilateral, deep, intra uterine insemination (DIUI). Two experiments were conducted, 10 sows were used in experiment I and eight sows were used in experiment II. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to examine the time when ovulation took place in relation to oestrus behaviour. The sows were inseminated with a single dose of diluted fresh semen 6-8 h prior to expected ovulation, during the second oestrus after weaning. In experimental I, five sows were inseminated by a conventional artificial insemination (AI) technique using 100 ml of diluted fresh semen, containing 3000 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa and five sows were inseminated by the DIUI technique with 5 ml of diluted fresh semen, containing 150 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa. The sows were anesthetized and ovario-hysterectomized approximately 24 h after insemination. The oviducts and the uterine horns on each side of the reproductive tracts were divided into seven segments, namely ampulla, cranial isthmus, caudal isthmus, utero-tubal junction (UTJ), cranial uterine horn, middle uterine horn and caudal uterine horn. Each segment of the reproductive tracts was flushed with Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) through the lumen. The total number of spermatozoa in the flushing from each segment were determined. In experimental II, eight sows were inseminated by the DIUI technique using 5.0 ml diluted fresh semen containing 150 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa. The sows were anesthetized 61.1 +/- 12 h after insemination (48-72 h) and the embryos were flushed from the oviduct through the proximal part of the uterine horn. It was revealed that, in experimental I, the spermatozoa were recovered from both sides of the reproductive tract in the AI-group, and from unilateral side of the reproductive tract in the DIUI-group (three sows from the left and two sows from the right sides). The number of spermatozoa recovered from the reproductive tracts was higher in the AI- than the DIUI-group (p < 0.001). In experiment II, fertilization occurred in five of eight sows (62.5%) after DIUI. The number of ova that ovulated were 16.4 +/- 2.6 per sow and the embryos numbering 11.4 +/- 2.3 per sow were recovered from both sides of the reproductive tract. In conclusion, the spermatozoa given by DIUI could be recovered from only one side of the reproductive tract of sows at approximately 24 h after DIUI via the flushing technique. However, embryos were found in both sides of the oviducts and the proximal part of the uterine horns 48-72 h after insemination, indicating that the fertilization occurred in both sides of the oviducts.     

Effect of unilateral hysterectomy and ovariectomy on puberty, uterine size and embryo development in swine

Eighty crossbred gilts were assigned randomly to treatments: 1) removal of an ovary and ipsilateral uterine horn (UHO) at 130 d of age and removal of the remaining ovary and uterine horn 12 d post-puberty; 2) UHO at 130 d of age, mated and reproductive tracts recovered when slaughtered at 30 d of gestation; 3) UHO 12 d post-puberty, mated and slaughtered at 30 d of gestation and 4) unoperated controls that were mated and slaughtered at 30 d of gestation. Age of puberty was not affected by treatments. Gilts in treatment 1 had a mean ovulation rate at the pubertal estrus comparable to gilts in treatment 3. But, gilts in treatments 2 and 3 had 16% fewer (P less than .01) corpora lutea at 30 d of gestation than control gilts. Length and weight of the remaining uterine horn at 12 d post-puberty for gilts treated at 130 d of age were similar to the averages of gilts left intact. Gilts with one uterine horn had 2.2 fewer live embryos at 30 d of gestation than control gilts (P less than .01). But, the proportion of corpora lutea represented by live embryos did not differ significantly among treatments. Gilts with one uterine horn had 1.1 fewer live embryos (P less than .15) after adjustment for number of corpora lutea, less uterine space occupied by each embryo (P less than .01) and less total placental membrane per embryo (P less than .05) than control gilts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

An antegrade surgical uterine flush technique for ova collection in the ewe

A surgical uterine flush technique was evaluated for percentage of ova/corpora lutea (CL) collected and development of reproductive adhesions in 79 superovulated ewes. The median collection rate for ova/CL was 70%, and 47 of 79 ewes had greater than or equal to 67% ova/CL. At 50 to 80 days after uterine flushing, celiotomies were performed on 50 of the 79 ewes to evaluate the reproductive tract for adhesions. Adhesions of the reproductive tract were not found. Thirty ewes were given prostaglandin F2 alpha, were mated, and became pregnant. The ova collection rates were comparable with rates reported in ewes in which oviductal flush methods were used; however, adhesions did not develop and reproductive function was maintained after surgery.     

Factors regulating ovarian function in pigs

The hormonal interactions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian-uterine axis are accountable for a normal reproduction in female pigs. It is of importance to have knowledge of estrous symptoms and hormonal profiles around ovulation. The introduction of the transrectal ultrasonography in sows has given us the possibility to study ovarian activity in conscious animals and relate the timing of estrus to ovulation. Combining this technique with measuring of several hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), inhibin, estradiol, progesterone, insulin-like growth hormone I (IGF-I), prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) metabolite, oxytocin, facilitate our knowledge about the sequence of ovarian events. Evidence suggests that activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may hamper the normal gonadotropin secretion and in consequence, the ovarian function. The metabolic status during lactation, weaning of piglets and social stress might affect onset of ovarian activity and the related estrous behavior. The role of seminal plasma, artificial insemination and presence of the boar might also be included as factors regulating the temporal kinetics of ovulation, corpus luteum development, uterine function and steroid production in the ovary. Studies using a simulated stress by means of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) administration or food deprivation are tools in understanding how the ovary is susceptible to impairment. The intention of this paper is to review current knowledge concerning the endocrine aspects of normal and stress-influenced ovarian function in pigs.     

Sperm migration in pigs after deep intrauterine and intraperitoneal insemination

Deep intrauterine insemination in pigs allows sperm deposition only into one uterine horn, but bilateral fertilization of oocytes occurs. How the sperm reach the contralateral oviduct remains disputable. The aim of this experiment was to study possible transperitoneal and/or transuterine sperm migration ways. Follicle growth and ovulation were induced in 24 peripubertal gilts with eCG and hCG 72 h after eCG. Endoscopic intrauterine insemination (IUI) was performed 32 h after hCG with 20 ml of extended semen (60 × 10(6) spermatozoa) as follows: Group CONTROL (n=8) received IUI into the right horn, and the left horn served as non-treated control; Group LIGATURE (n=8) received IUI into the right horn, and the left horn was closed by endoscopic double ligature close to the bifurcation; Group INTRAPERITONEAL (IPI; n=8) received IUI into the right uterine horn, the left horn was closed by double ligature and semen was deposited intraperitoneally at the surface of the left ovary. Genital tracts were removed 65-66 h after hCG, the oviducts were flushed and ova (n=299) were analyzed for fertilization and cleavage. Furthermore, the accessory spermatozoa count/oocyte was graded as 0, without spermatozoa, 1, <5 spermatozoa, 2, 5-50 spermatozoa, 3, 50-100 spermatozoa and 4, >100 spermatozoa. The results indicate that low dose IUI into one horn provides a lower grade of accessory spermatozoa in the contra-lateral side (1.6 vs. 2.8). No spermatozoa were found in ova flushed from oviducts of the ligated uterine horn, even after intraperitoneal insemination (P<0.05), and no fertilization occurred, respectively. Our results clearly indicate that after low dose IUI into one uterine horn, spermatozoa reach the contralateral oviduct via transuterine migration.     

Preovulatory changes in follicular prostaglandins and their role in ovulation in cattle.

Indomethacin (INDO, n = 5) or vehicle (CONTROL, n = 4) was injected into superovulated heifers at 48 and 60 h following a luteolytic cloprostenol injection (0 h). One heifer from each group was ovariectomized (OVX) at 48, 56, 64 and 72 h. The fifth heifer of the INDO group was OVX at 80 h. Blood samples were collected at 0 h, every 2 h between 37 and 47 h, and at the time of each OVX to monitor plasma progesterone (P4) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations. Following each OVX, the number and size of follicles were recorded and the incidence of ovulation determined. Follicular fluid (FF) was aspirated from follicles greater than or equal to 8 mm to determine the concentration of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). The highest PG concentrations were measured in both groups at 24-25 h following the preovulatory LH surge and the PGF2 alpha concentration at this time was significantly greater (p less than 0.01) in the CONTROL group compared to the INDO group. By 35-36 h after the LH surge, 75% (25/34) of the CONTROL follicles had ovulated, whereas there were no ovulations (0/50) on either ovary of the INDO treated heifer. These preliminary results suggest that the preovulatory rise of PGs in FF, particularly PGF2 alpha, is essential for ovulation and that suppression of this rise with indomethacin will inhibit ovulation in heifers.     

Segmental aplasia of the uterine horn with ipsilateral renal agenesis in a cat

A nine-month-old domestic short haired cat was admitted with the history of acute vomiting, depression and shivering. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed minimum enlargement of the right uterine horn filled with anechoic fluid. On excretory urography, functionally and anatomically normal, enlarged left kidney was found, but right kidney was absent. It was preliminary diagnosed as hydrometra with right renal agenesis. Aiming at the correction of hydrometra, we performed ovariohysterectomy. During spaying, we found a missing segment of distal part of the right uterine horn and absence of ipsilateral kidney and ureter. Compressed uterine structure and segmental aplasia of right uterine horn were found in histopathological investigation. Taken together, it was diagnosed as a segmental aplasia of uterine horn with ipsilateral renal agenesis.     

Effect of administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha on embryo recovery from the uterus on day 5 after ovulation in mares

Ten mares were used to investigate the effect of administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha on uterine tubal motility, as reflected by embryo recovery from the uterus 5 days after ovulation (day 0). Mares were assigned to 3 groups: group A, uterine flush for embryo recovery on day 7; group B, uterine flush for embryo recovery on day 5; and group C, uterine flush for embryo recovery on day 5, after treatment with prostaglandin F2 alpha (10 mg, IM) on day 3. Each mare was assigned to each group once. Embryo recovery rates for the 3 groups were: A, 6 of 10; B, 2 of 8; and C, 0 of 10. The embryo recovery rate for group C was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that for group A. Embryo recovery rate for group B was not significantly different from group A or group C. Administration of prostaglandin on day 3 did not increase embryo recovery rate from the uterus on day 5. Additionally, the 25% embryo recovery rate (2 of 8) for group B mares suggested an earlier time for entry of the embryo into the uterus than has previously been reported.     

Effects of uterus and prostaglandin F2alpha on corpora lutea in Mongolian gerbils and guinea pigs.

One or both uterine horns were removed on postpartum day 6 day 1=parturition in pseudopregnant gerbils. On dy 16, the corpora lutea (C) in unilaterally hysterectomized gerbils were smaller (P less than 0.05) in the ovary adjacent to an intact horn than in the ovary adjacent to a removed horn. The cL were smaller in uterine-intact than in completely hysterectomized gerbils. I n another experiment, the cl were smaller (P less than 0.05) in pseudopregnant gerbils given a single intrauterine injection of a 30- or 20-mug dose of prostaglandin F2alpha) (PGFalpha) on postpartum day 6 and theen necropsied on day 10 than in gerbils given 10-, 5-, 1-, and 0-mug doses; CL were smaller (P less than 0.05) on the side ipsilateral to the treated horn than on the opposite side, although the interaction of dose and side was not significant...     

Effect of unilateral cornual insemination upon fertilization rate in superovulating and single-ovulating cattle

In Exp. 1, 21 first-service cattle and seven repeat-breeder cattle, averaging 4.7 infertile services, were brought into estrus and superovulated by treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone and prostaglandin F2 alpha. At insemination, semen was deposited in the greater curvature of one uterine horn, about midway between the utero-cervical junction and the utero-tubal junction. Cattle were necropsied 2 to 7 d after estrus and ova were recovered and examined. The fertilization rate for first-service cows was 74% of 362 intact ova and for repeat-breeders, 43% of 128 intact ova (P less than .001). Fertilization rate in first-service cows was 81% on the side of semen deposition and 68% on the opposite side (P less than .01); the rates in repeat-breeders were 54% and 32% (P less than .025). Differences between sides were due mostly to four cows that averaged 93% fertilization on the side of semen deposition and 19% on the opposite side. The proportion of fertilized ova with accessory sperm (17%) did not differ between sides of the reproductive tract. In Exp. 2, 60 first-service and 32 repeat-breeder cows in natural estrus had semen deposited in the uterine body or in the greater curvature of one uterine horn, either on the side of impending ovulation or on the opposite side. At necropsy, 55 ova were recovered from first-service cows, of which 42 (76%) were intact and 13 (24%) were ruptured or fragmented. Of the 42 intact ova, 41 (98%) were cleaved. From the 32 repeat-breeders, 30 ova were recovered, of which 26 (87%) were intact and 4 (13%) were ruptured; 23 of the 26 intact ova (88%) were cleaved. Site of semen deposition had no significant effect on either fertilization rate or number of accessory sperm in either type of cow. First-service cows averaged more accessory sperm (40) than did repeat-breeders (19, P less than .01). Overall results indicated that sperm deposited deep in one uterine horn fertilized ova nearly as frequently in the opposite oviduct as in the adjacent oviduct except in 14% of superovulating cattle.     

Prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced response of the bovine ovary, oviduct (uterine tube), and uterus

Tissue strips from the ovary, (uterine tube), and oviduct, and uterus of pregnant and nonpregnant cows were tested for their contractile response to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). When 2.1 x 10(-6)M PGF2 alpha was added to the uterine strips, tension of tissues from pregnant cows increased sharply; however, tension in tissues from nonpregnant cows only increased moderately. Similar concentrations failed to elicit any response from oviductal tissues of either group. Unlike the uterus and the oviduct, the ovaries contracted slowly and irregularly. They responded with varying degrees of stimulation; ovaries from pregnant cows with brief and mild stimulation and ovaries from nonpregnant cows with slower and relatively stronger stimulation. Results indicate that the bovine ovary contracts rhythmically and that its sensitivity to PGF2 alpha decreases during pregnancy in contrast to the bovine uterus which becomes increasingly sensitive during pregnancy.     

Pyometra

Pyometra is a relatively uncommon diestral uterine disorder seen primarily in older bitches and queens. The incidence of pyometra appears to be increasing, especially in younger animals, as a result of increasing use of estrogen and progesterone for mismating and for certain medical disorders. The clinical signs of pyometra and abnormalities on physical examination are dependent on the patency of the cervix and how quickly the client recognizes the problem. Ovariohysterectomy is still the treatment of choice; however, prostaglandin F2 alpha as a medical alternative in the management of pyometra is gaining more and more acceptance. The goal of prostaglandin F2 alpha therapy is to salvage the reproductive tract in the young breeding bitch or queen in the hopes of obtaining future litters. The results have been very promising, especially for bitches or queens with open-cervix pyometra. Prostaglandin F2 alpha appears to offer the owner a reasonable alternative in the management of pyometra.     

Influence of the embryo on intrauterine migration in sheep.

Mechanisms of intrauterine migration were examined in 55 ewes. In the first experiment, corpora lutea were removed from unilaterally ovariectomized ewes on d 4 (d 0 = estrus) and pregnancy was maintained by giving exogenous progesterone. In Exp. 2, the reproductive tract was altered surgically such that embryos initially entered the uterine horn contralateral to the site of ovulation. In Exp. 3, ewes received beads of silastic polydimethylsiloxane that released either cholesterol or estradiol-17 beta in an attempt to mimic embryonic synthesis of estradiol. In the fourth experiment, unilaterally ovariectomized ewes were superovulated and spacing of embryos within the uterus was then examined. In all experiments, ewes were slaughtered on d 15 and recovery of embryos or beads from each uterine horn indicated that migration had occurred. All ewes in Exp. 1 and 2 that had two conceptuses experienced embryonic migration. Beads impregnated with estradiol migrated farther (P less than .01) than cholesterol-containing beads (27.6 +/- 4.3 vs 12.5 +/- 1.6 cm, respectively). In Exp. 4, only one conceptus had migrated into the contralateral horn in all ewes. These results demonstrated that 1) embryonic migration was not affected by local vs systemic exposure to progesterone, 2) embryos migrated into the unoccupied horn, regardless of the initial horn of entry, 3) estradiol may stimulate embryonic migration, and 4) conceptuses were not equally distributed between horns.