Clinical and pathological presentation of squamous metaplasia of the rete ovarii in a Zebu cow / Apresentação clínica e patológica de um caso de metaplasia escamosa da rete ovariana em vaca Zebu

Squamous metaplasia of rete ovarii is characterized by replacement of the normal cuboidal epithelium of rete ovarii by a keratinized stratified scamous epithelium, leading to accumulation of keratinized material within the tubules and cystic dilatation of rete ovarii. The present study decribes a case of scamous metaplasia of rete ovarii in a 10 year old Zebu cow, including clinical, surgical, ultrasonographic, histopathological and hormonal findings. At first ultrasound examination the cow had lightly asymmetric ovaries with follicles presenting echogenicity similar to luteinized follicular cysts. After transvaginal follicular aspiration creamy yellowish sanguineous-purulent content was recovered. After unilateral ovariectomy the ovary was sectioned and brownish viscous material drained from cystic cavity. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosid of squamous metaplasia of the rete ovarii. Progesterone concentrations assessed by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay within different time periods after ovariectomy showed that pathology did not compromise normal luteal ovarian activity in a contralateral reminiscent ovary.

A metaplasia escamosa de rete ovarii é caracterizada pela substituição do epitélio cúbico normal da rete ovarii por um epitélio escamoso estratificado queratinizado, levando ao acúmulo de material queratinizado dentro dos túbulos e à dilatação cística da rete ovarii. O presente estudo descreve um caso de metaplasia escamosa de rete ovarii em uma vaca Zebu de aproximadamente 10 anos, incluindo aspectos clínico, cirúrgico, ultrassonográfico, histopatológico e dos achados hormonais. Ao primeiro exame ultrassonográfico, a vaca tinha ovários levemente assimétricos e com folículos apresentando ecogenicidade semelhante à dos cistos foliculares luteinizados. Após a aspiração folicular por via transvaginal, foi recuperado conteúdo sanguinopurulento amarelado e de aspecto cremoso. Após a ovariectomia unilateral, o ovário foi seccionado, permitindo a drenagem de material de aspecto viscoso amarronzado da cavidade cística. A histopatologia confirmou o diagnóstico de metaplasia escamosa da rete ovarii. As concentrações de progesterona avaliadas por quimioluminescência, em diferentes períodos de tempo após a ovariectomina unilateral, mostrou que a patologia não comprometeu a atividade ovariana normal do ovário contralateral remanescente.

The BOC ELISA, a ruminant-specific AMH immunoassay, improves the determination of plasma AMH concentration and its correlation with embryo production in cattle.

Plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations have been recently found to be predictive of the number of embryos recovered after FSH superovulatory treatment in the cow. However, the sensitivity of the Active Müllerian-inhibiting substance/AMH ELISA (ref. 10-14400; DSL-Beckman-Coulter) used to make these measurements in bovine plasma samples is low because it was developed to measure human AMH levels. To overcome this limitation, we developed an immunoassay specific for the bovine (B), ovine (O), and caprine (C) species, the bovine-ovine-caprine (BOC) ELISA. For this purpose, we produced recombinant bovine AMH for standardization, and we used monoclonal antibodies raised against bovine AMH, previously prepared by our laboratory. We evaluated the precision, accuracy, specificity, limit of detection, and functional sensitivity of the assay. The intra-assay coefficient of variation ranged between 3.4% and 11.3% for AMH concentrations between 23.68 and 1.74 ng/mL, and the interassay coefficient of variation ranged between 4.8% and 20.5% for concentrations between 25.53 and 1.42 ng/mL, respectively. The assay displayed a good linearity, had a detection limit of 0.4 ng/mL and a functional sensitivity of 1.4 ng/mL. It also cross-reacted with ovine and caprine AMHs. Both the mean and median AMH levels measured in 40 cow plasma samples using the BOC ELISA were approximately 44 fold higher than the mean and median AMH levels measured with the Active Müllerian-inhibiting substance/AMH ELISA. Moreover, a higher correlation was observed between the average number of embryos recovered from each cow after superovulatory treatment and AMH concentrations measured with the BOC ELISA. This BOC ELISA provides a very efficient tool for evaluating the ovarian follicular reserve of cows and predicting their embryo production capacity.

Assessment of early postpartum reproductive performance in two high producing Estonian dairy herds.

Early postpartum (6 weeks) ovarian activity, hormonal profiles, uterine involution, uterine infections, serum electrolytes, glucose, milk acetoacetate and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were studied in 2 Estonian high producing dairy herd with annual milk production of 7688 (Farm A) and 9425 (Farm B). From each farm 10 cows, with normal calving performance were used. Blood samples for the hormonal (PGF2alpha-metabolite, progesterone) analyses were withdrawn. On day 25 PP blood serum samples were taken for the evaluation of metabolic/electrolyte status. On the same day estimation of milk acetoacetate values was done. The ultrasound (US) was started on day 7 PP and was performed every 3rd day until the end of experiment. Uterine content, follicular activity and sizes of the largest follicle and corpus luteum were monitored and measured. Vaginal discharge and uterine tone were recorded during the rectal palpation. Each animal in the study was sampled for bacteriological examination using endometrial biopsies once a week. Two types of PGF2alpha-metabolite patterns were detected: elevated levels during 14 days PP, then decline to the basal level and then a second small elevation at the time of final elimination of the bacteria from the uterus: or elevated levels during first 7 days PP, then decline to the basal level and a second small elevation before the final elimination of bacteria. Endometritis was diagnosed in 5 cows in farm A and in 3 cows in farm B respectively. In farm A, 5 cows out of 10 ovulated during experimental period and in 1 cow cystic ovaries were found. In farm B, 3 cows out of 10 ovulated. In 3 cows cystic ovaries were found. Altogether 40% of cows had their first ovulation during the experimental period. Three cows in farm A and 5 cows in farm B were totally bacteria negative during the experimental period. The most frequent bacteria found were A. pyogenes, Streptococcus spp., E. coli., F. necrophorum and Bacteroides spp. The highest incidence of bacteriological species was found during the first 3 weeks in both farms. All animals were free from bacteria after 5th week PP in farm A and after 4th week in farm B respectively. Serum electrolytes and glucose levels were found to be within the reference limits for the cows in both farms. No significant difference was found between farms (p > 0.05). Low phosphorus levels were found in both farms. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was found in BUN levels between farms. In both farms milk acetoacetate values were staying within the reference range given for the used test (< 100 micromol/l). The uterine involution and bacterial elimination in the investigated cows could consider as normal but more profound metabolic studies could be needed to find reasons for later resumption of ovarian activity. Some recommendations to changing feeding regimes and strategies should also be given.

[Feasibility of detecting steroid hormones in cattle feces for monitoring ovarian function]. / Zur Aussagefähigkeit von Steroidhormonen im Kot von Rindern für deren Ovarfunktionen.

Faecal material from four non pregnant cows was withdrawn in two-day intervalls during a four-week period. At the same time bloodsamples were taken to monitor the ovarian function. Clinical and ultrasonographical examinations were recorded in parallel. To look for the stability of the faecal steroid analogues for P4 (Progesterone) and E2 (Estradiol-17 beta) faecal material was stored at 37 degrees C and samples from that analyzed in two-day intervals. The P4 (Progesterone)-analogues values in the faeces showed good correlation to cycling ovarian functions as monitored by bloodlevels from P4, clinical examination and ultrasonography. In contrast the E2-analogues values showed no cycling pattern. One cow however showed ovarian cysts which was monitored in the P4 values for blood and faeces. Concerning the stability of the steroid analogues it could be demonstrated that the P4-values show a steady decrease with minimum values of 20 ng/g dry material. During the first four days after sampling reliable values for clinical interpretations can be found. The concentrations for E2 are very inconstant and so far not of interest. The investigation shows that the faecal steroid P4 can be used for monitoring ovarian function. It has to be analyzed within four days after sampling when stored at room temperature.

Incidence of ovarian dysfunction in post partum dairy cows and the effectiveness of its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Ovarian function was assessed from milk progesterone profiles in 236 cows that were presented for clinical examination after parturition and in 227 unexamined herdmates. By 30 days after calving, 81 per cent of the cows had ovulated and by 42 days 92 per cent had resumed cycling. On average milk samples were taken for 155 days, and during this period 67 luteal cysts or cystic corpora lutea and 24 follicular cysts were recorded, and 88 cows were anoestrus for more than 30 days. Luteal cysts, follicular cysts and prolonged anoestrus all occurred twice as frequently in the cows which were clinically examined as in those which were not examined. Progesterone profiles indicated that at the time of clinical examination 72.4 per cent of the cows examined were cycling normally, 11.3 per cent were anoestrus, 6.7 per cent had follicular cysts, 8.0 per cent had luteal cysts and 1.6 per cent were pregnant. Rectal palpation correctly identified ovarian function in only 63.5 per cent of examinations, with 29.8 per cent of cows that were cycling normally, 58.1 per cent that were anoestrus, 70.3 per cent with follicular cysts and 25 per cent with luteal cysts being incorrectly diagnosed. Progesterone profiles confirmed normal oestrous cyclicity in 81.9 per cent of these cows diagnosed as cycling normally by the clinician. The clinical treatments administered included prostaglandin, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), progesterone (PRID) and the physical expression of ovarian structures. Cows diagnosed as cycling normally were left untreated. At the time of treatment, 28.8 per cent of prostaglandin-treated cows had low progesterone concentrations indicating that no luteal tissue was present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Clinical aspects and therapy of anaphrodisia in cows]. / Prouchvane vurkhu klinikata i terapiiata na anafrodiziiata pri kravite.

Clinical investigations were carried out of a total of 1675 cows to elucidate the reason for anaphrodisia. The functional activity of the ovaries was determined by the use of cytovaginal smears stained after Chamov. Animals with anaphrodisia on the base of ovarian hypofunction were treated with hormonal preparations of gonadotropic action, while those with persisting periodic corpora lutea--with prostanglandin or the yellow bodies were manually removed. it was found that anaphrodisia in cows was more largely due to ovarian hypofunction (78.5 per cent), and to a lower extent--to persisting yellow bodies (21.5 per cent). In the case of ovarian hypofunction very good results were obtained with the use of gravohormone and prolan, and in the case of persisting corpora lutea--with the use of prostaglandine F2 alpha. The manual removal was associated with low conception rate and higher index of insemination. The cytovaginal smears could be used as an adjunct for the indirect determination of the functional activity of the ovaries.