C1 C2 C3 Cn Cull
AI1 AI1
IF
IF
Waiting period
Reproduction period
Birth
Period of pregnancy (embryo + fœtus)
24 mths 365 d Fecundity : time to obtain a pregnancy Fertility number of AI to obtain a pregnancy (< 3 ou > 2)
Last AI
The cow is a production tool
T h e g e n it a l tr a ct
8 - 10 cm 30 cm 10 cm
3 cm 40 cm 30 cm
4x2x2 cm
The genital
tract
The vulva and the vestibule
The cervix : vaginal
opening
The cervix : longitudinal
view
The cervix
The uterine horns ligaments
The oviduct and the ovary
The ovary : two main structures
Follicles
Non antral follicles (without cavity) : < 0,2 mm
Antral follicles : 2 to 25 mm
Main hormone : oestradiol
Corpus luteum
Hemorragic CL
Midcycle CL
Main hormone : progesterone
The ovary : two main structures
Antral follicle
Mid cycle
corpus luteum
Atretic
corpus lutem
Ovary bearing a corpus
luteum (after incision)
The preovulatory follicle and his oocyte
Ovary without antral
follicles (after incision)
How does it work ?
The hypophysis-
hypothalamus complex
Hypothala mus : GnRH
Hypophysis :
LH-FSH
Hormonal relationship in the hypothalamic-hypophysis-ovarian complex
HYPOTHALAMUS
ANTERIOR PITUITARY
GONAD : OVARY
Negative feedback control of P4
on LH
Estradiol
LH FSH
Progesterone Negative GnRH
feedback control of oestradiol on
FSH
The follicular wave
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
0 0
-1 -2 -3
2 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 17
10 16 15 14 12 12 11 18 20 19
mm
Emerging follicle
< 9 mm Dominant follicle 8 -10 mm
Potential ovulatory follicle 10 - 20 mm
The 2 waves of follicular growth during an oestrus cycle
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
0 0
-2 -1 -3
2 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 17
10 16 15 14 12 12 11 18 20 19
mm
The oestrus cycle of the cow : 21 days (18 to 24)
0 6 18 21
Oestrus 15 hours
Metoestrus 6 days
Dioestrus 12 days
Prooestrus 3 days
days Progesterone phase Oestradiol phase
Hormonal regulation of the cycle in the the cow
Progestérone Oestradiol FSH
PGF2a
LH tonic/cyclic
0 6 18 21
Periods of cycling or not
cycling in heifers
C1 : 24 mthsBirth Puberty 12 mths
First AI : 14 mths
Beginning of pregnancy
Period of
physiological anoestrus
Waiting period:
cycles
Reproduction Period:
cycles
Period of
Physiological anoestrus
Periods of cycling or not cycling in cows
C2 : 12 mths Calving
15d : dairy cows 30d : beef cows
First AI : 50d
Begining of pregnancy 90d
Period of
physiological anoestrus
Reproduction Period:
cycles
Period of
Physiological anoestrus Period of
Functionnal anoestrus Waiting
period
Aims of the genital
tract examination
To answer to different questions
1. Where we are ? (waiting, reproduction or pregnancy period)
2. Is the animal pregnant ?
3. If yes , which is his stage of pregnancy ? 4. If the animal is not pregnant, is he cycled ? 5. If yes at which stage of the cycle he is ?
6. If the animal is not pregnant and not cycled , why ?
Prof. Ch. Hanzen – propédeutique génitale femelle des ruminants
Don’t forget
To use your different senses : To see, to smell, to ear, to touch
To ask the good questions
To describe as precisely as possible the different signs
To whrite the observations
Prof. Ch. Hanzen – propédeutique génitale femelle des ruminants
The locoregional
examination
Loco-regional exam : 5 aspects
The vulva area
The vulva area
Signs of mounted activity
Scar of C section
Development of the mammary gland
The genital tract
palpation
Fields of application of manual palpation
1. Exams of the genital tract 2. Pregnancy diagnosis
3. Artificial insemination 4. FIVETE
5. Intra-uterine treatment 6. Ovum pick up
7. Obstetrics
Main facts
Systematically done : from back to front
All part of the genital tract
1. Vagina : distension
2. Cervix : diameter and position
3. At the bifurcation of the uterine horns : symetry
4. Horns : number, diamter, position, consistency and complications (adhesions, strings, scar)
5. Oviducts
6. Ovaries :size, symetry, mobility structures
7. Uterine artery (thrill)
The vagina
distension : air, mucus (mucocolpos), tumors
perforations (voir complications obstétricales)
The cervix
position : on the floor or the brim or in the abdomen
diameter : < 5 cm, 5 à 10 cm, > 10 cm
consistancy ?
The uterine horns
number
position : on the floor or the brim or in the abdomen
Diameter and symetry : < 5, 5 à 10, > 10 cm
consistancy : no tone, firm, tonic
Inflammatory reactions :
A: adhesions
B : strings
C : scar of cesarean
How to evaluate the size of the uterine horns
3,5- 4 cm 2,5 - 3 cm
Illustrations tractus génital
Illustrations tractus génital
Aplasia (FM)
Uterine string
Uterine scar
Ovarian string
Evaluate the size of the ovaries
Nut Plum
Hazelnut
Stone of plum
15 / 10 mm
20 / 15 mm 40 / 30 mm
35 / 30 mm
Rough Smooth
Evaluate the size of the ovaries
The thumb
3,5 cm
2,5 cm
How to palpate the ovary
The ovarian structures
The haemorragic corpus
luteum
The Mid cycle corpus
luteum
The corpus luteum with cavity
The vaginocsopy
Material
2 bucketts (water and antiseptic)
2 sponges
1 spéculum
1 light
Aims
Examination of the wall
Exalmination of the cervical opening
Parameters
Secretions : aspects quantitatifs et qualitatifs
Congestion ?
Opening level of the cervix ?
Old vaginoscopes
How to introduce the
vaginal speculum
How to look the vaginal
cavity
Some vaginal lesions
Double cervix Vaginal
string
