Short communication: Evaluation of tubal patency in repeat breeder Holstein cows

María R Garrido,Juan J Becerra,Javier Sande,Luis A Quintela,Pedro G Herradon,Ana I Peña

doi:10.5424/sjar/2019174-15419

María R Garrido, Juan J Becerra + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2019174-15419

Copy DOI

Abstract

Aim of study: To evaluate tubal patency in repeat breeder Holstein cows with the purpose of estimating the frequency of oviduct obstruction as a cause of the repeat breeding syndrome.Area of study: Lugo (NW Spain)Material and methods: In 50 repeat breeding cows, a solution of the dye phenol-sulphon-phthalein (PSP) was instilled into one uterine horn with the aid of a balloon catheter. Urine was collected 15, 25 and 45 min post-PSP infusion. Urine of a reddish color was used as indicator of tubal patency, as the PSP had passed across the oviduct into the abdominal cavity and was eliminated in urine. The other oviduct was evaluated on a different day.Main results: Of the 50 cows tested, 44% had some degree of oviduct obstruction: 4% had bilateral oviduct occlusion, 20% unilateral oviduct occlusion, 16% bilateral oviduct stenosis and 4% unilateral oviduct stenosis. No significant relationship could be established between tubal impermeability and postpartum reproductive or metabolic diseases.Research highlights: Tubal stenosis or occlusions were frequent and they are likely to contribute to the repeat breeding syndrome in dairy cows; thus, tubal patency should be routinely evaluated in repeat breeders. The PSP test is easy to perform, well tolerated by animals, and allows evaluating both oviducts separately.

Highlights

Cows that failed to conceive after a number of services, generally three or more, and that regular return to estrus at normal intervals, without detectable anomalies of the genital tract, have been described as repeat breeders (Zemjanis, 1980; Parkinson, 2019)
The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of tubal occlusion in 50 repeat breeder
Pooling both, occluded and stenotic oviducts as oviductal blockage, bilateral blockage rose to 20%

Summary

Introduction

Causes of the repeat breeder syndrome (RBS) are multiple and can be extrinsic or intrinsic to the cow. Intrinsic causes of RBS may include anatomical defects, genital tract infections (Moss et al, 2002), endocrine disturbances (Gustafsson et al., 1986; Bage et al, 2002; López-Gatius et al, 2004), anovulation (Kimura et al, 1987), early embryo mortality (Bage et al, 2002; Villarroel et al, 2004), etc. Obvious pathological lesions and genital tract infections can be excluded, the three main causes of RBS are believed to be ovulatory abnormalities, chronic endometrial damage, and luteal deficiency (Parkinson, 2019).

Objectives

Methods

Results