17c: Cow Infertility & Abortions

Pathogenesis of fetal maceration

Fetus dies → infection → digested into bits → maceration

CS of acute fetal maceration

Sick or septic dam with fetid/reddish-gray vaginal discharge

CS of chronic fetal maceration

Mucopurulent discharge and weight loss

Diagnosis for fetal maceration

• Vaginal exam

• Rectal palpation

• US

Treatment for acute fetal maceration

Treat the septicemia

• Hypertonic saline then isotonic IVF or PO fluids

• ABx

• NSAIDs

Why don’t we want to lavage the uterus for acute fetal maceration

The uterus is very friable

Treatment for chronic fetal maceration

• Prostaglandin

• Uterine lavage

• Vaginal removal of fetus

How should you manage a cow that has had a chronic fetal maceration

Cull, the uterus is scarred

Treatment for nutritional anestrus

Feed them!

Diagnosis for congenital anestrus

A good physical exam

Type of congenital anestrus found in shorthorn cattle

White Heifer disease (like freemartinism but not in twins!)

T/F: fertilization failure is a common cause of infertility in cows

False

Common cause of infertility in cows

Early embryonic loss

When does most early embryonic loss happen

Days 0-16

What happens if a cow looses an embryo after day 16

It is after MRP, and it will look like her cycle was long

Typical/goal first service conception rate

60-65%

Typical cause of fertilization failure

Physical developmental causes

Common causes of early embryonic death

• Enviro/heat stress

• Handling stress

• Infection

• Teratogen

• Drugs

Common causes of embryonic death after MRP

Infection

How much fetal death should happen after day 45

<10%

Common infectious venereal diseases

• Tritrichomonas foetus

• Campylobacter fetus venerealis

• Ureaplasma

• IBR

• BVD

• Lepsopirosis

• Neospora

• Salmonella

• Etc.

Bulls are asymptomatic carriers of which venereal disease

Tritrichomonas foetus

Where does Tritrichomonas foetus live in cattle

Vaginal mucosa of cows and preputial epithelial crypts in bulls

T/F: cows cannot give bulls Tritrichomonas foetus because they clear the infection

False, they can still give it if bred before they clear the infection

T/F: Tritrichomonas foetus decreases semen quality

Nope

Demographic for permanent Tritrichomonas foetus infections

Older bulls (>3 years) → deeper preputial crypts

CS of Tritrichomonas foetus in the cow

• Early embryonic loss

• Poor pregnancy rate

• Occasionally: post coital pyometra

When does Tritrichomonas foetus cause embryonic loss

First 2 months

T/F: anyone can test for Tritrichomonas foetus

False, you need to be certified

How should bulls be managed before testing for Tritrichomonas foetus

At least 2 weeks of sexual rest

Sample for Tritrichomonas foetus testing in bulls

Cytology/aspirate from the fornix of the penis

Sample for Tritrichomonas foetus testing in cows

Aspirate vaginal mucus

Diagnosis for Tritrichomonas foetus

PCR or culture

Handling considerations for Tritrichomonas foetus samples

Keep away from UV

Treatment for Tritrichomonas foetus

Cull

What should you do if you get a positive for Tritrichomonas foetus

Report :)

T/F: we have an effective vaccine for Tritrichomonas foetus

False, the immunity is short