The document discusses infertility in various animal species, detailing factors affecting fertility such as genetics, nutrition, health, environment, age, and management practices. It highlights specific causes of infertility in cattle, mares, ewes, and dogs, including infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and anatomical issues. Additionally, it outlines symptoms, diagnostics, and treatments for infertility, emphasizing the importance of proper management and veterinary interventions.

1. Infertility in Animals And Diagnosis
INFERTILITY IN ANIMALS

3. What is Fertility?????
• Fertility in animals refers to their ability to successfully reproduce, which includes
the capacity to produce viable gametes (sperm and eggs), achieve conception, and
carry offspring to term.
Factors Affecting Fertility
• Genetics: Genetic disorders can impair fertility.
• Nutrition: Poor nutrition can reduce reproductive efficiency.
• Health and Disease: Infections, injuries, or reproductive system disorders may
affect fertility.
• Environment: Stress, temperature, and pollutants can influence fertility.
• Age: Fertility typically decreases with age in most animals.
• Management Practices: In domestic animals, breeding techniques (e.g., artificial
insemination) and timing play significant roles.

4. Animals

5. Cattle
• Immunofertility
• Infectious causes
• Physiological causes
• Anatomical causes
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Faulty AI
• Metabolic issues

6. Immunofertility
• Production of Antibiotics against-blockage of receptors
 Hormones(LH,GNRH,E2,T4,PGF2,Oxytocin)
 Spermatozoa
 Seminal plasma
 Ovum
• Symptoms
 Anovulation, Delayed Ovulation, Sperm immobilization, failure of
fertilization, prolonged uterine involution, extended calving interval,
prolonged post partum estrus, low conception rate.
• RX:
 Sexual rest, IVF, ICSI, Sperm Washing,
 Immunomodulators (LPS, Oyster Glycogen)

9. Infectious Causes
• Bacterial Causes
 Brucella abortus (Brucellosis)
 Leptospira spp. (Leptospirosis)
 Campylobacter fetus (Vibriosis)
 Trueperella pyogenes
• Viral Causes
 Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)
 Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus (IBR)
 Bluetongue Virus
• Protozoal Causes
 Tritrichomonas foetus
 Neospora caninum
• Fungal Causes
 Aspergillus spp

10. • Symptoms
 Absence of heat
 Repeat breeding
 Silent heat
 Cystic ovaries
• Rx and Control
 Antibiotics
 Vaccines
 Hormonal therapy
 Biosecurity measures
 Monitoring
 Culling

11. Physiological causes
Hormonal Imbalances
 Anestrus (Failure to Cycle):
Insufficient secretion of reproductive hormones like GnRH, FSH, or LH.
 Cystic Ovarian Disease (COD)
Failure of dominant follicles to ovulate due to hormonal dysregulation.
 Persistent Corpus Luteum:
Failure of the corpus luteum to regress, often due to insufficient prostaglandin production.
• Symptoms
 Absence of heat
 Repeat breeding
 Silent heat
 Cystic ovaries
Hormonal Therapies:
• Prostaglandins: Induce estrus by regressing the corpus
luteum.
• GnRH and FSH/LH analogs: Treat anestrus or cystic ovaries.
• Progesterone supplementation: Improve luteal function or
synchronize estrus.

12. Anatomical Causes
• Freemartinism:
A condition in heifer calves born as twins with a male, where blood
exchange in utero leads to masculinization of the female reproductive
tract.
• Uterine Adhesions and Abnormalities:
Scarring or adhesions due to previous trauma, dystocia, or retained
placenta.
• Oviduct Blockage:
Obstruction of the fallopian tubes due to scarring or developmental
anomalies.
• Cervical Malformations:
Congenital or acquired issues, such as strictures.

14. Freemartin
• Symptoms

16. Nutritional
Deficiencies
• Energy Deficiency
 Delayed puberty in heifers.
 Anestrus (failure to cycle) due to insufficient energy for hormone production.
 Poor follicular development and ovulation failure.
 Increased risk of early embryonic death due to inadequate uterine support
• Protein Deficiency
 Delayed onset of puberty and estrous cycling.
 Poor quality of cervical mucus, reducing sperm transport.
 Reduced ovulation rates and conception failure.
 Increased embryonic loss due to inadequate amino acids for fetal development
.
•.

17. Minerals
• Calcium (Ca): Poor uterine muscle contractions, leading to
retained placenta or dystocia
• Phosphorus (P):Delayed puberty and irregular estrous cycles.
• Magnesium (Mg):Reduced uterine muscle tone, contributing to
retained placenta, Poor luteal function, impacting pregnancy
maintenance.
• Selenium (Se)
 Impaired uterine health and increased risk of metritis and retained placenta.
 Weak calves due to poor pregnancy maintenance.

18. Vitamins
Vitamin A: Causes poor tissue health, weak estrus expression, and embryonic loss.
Vitamin D: Affects calcium metabolism, leading to poor uterine contractions and retained placenta.
Vitamin E: Increases the risk of uterine infections and oxidative damage to reproductive cells.
B-Complex Vitamins: Impair energy metabolism, reducing overall reproductive efficiency.
Treatment
•Balanced Diet:
Provide adequate levels of energy, protein, and essential minerals/vitamins based on the
animal’s stage of production.
•Mineral Supplements:
Use mineral blocks, premixes, or injections (e.g., selenium and vitamin E).
•Body Condition Scoring (BCS):
Monitor and maintain optimal BCS (3-3.5 out of 5 for cows).
•Forage Testing:
Test forage and feed to ensure nutrient content meets requirements.
•Regular Monitoring:
Conduct periodic blood tests to check for deficiencies and address them promptly.

19. Technical Causes
• Improper Timing of Insemination
• Poor Semen Quality
• Inadequate Heat Detection
• Improper Insemination Technique
• Poor Hygiene Practices
• Overuse of AI in Bulls
• Inappropriate Semen Thawing
• Poor Record-Keeping

20. Metabolic Issues
• Negative Energy Balance (NEB)
• Ketosis
• Fatty Liver Syndrome
• Hypocalcemia (Milk Fever)
• Acidosis
• Hypomagnesemia (Grass Tetany)
• Phosphorus Deficiency
• Obesity or Overconditioning
• Protein-Energy Imbalance

22. Mare
1. Physiological Causes
 Anestrus:
 Lack of estrous cycles, commonly seen in transitional or
seasonal anestrus.
 Caused by hormonal imbalances or insufficient light exposure
in certain seasons.
 Irregular Estrous Cycles:
 Resulting from hormonal disruptions, stress, or systemic
illnesses.
 Cystic Ovaries:
 Rare in mares but can interfere with normal ovulation and
cycling.

23. 2. Infectious Causes
 Endometritis:
 Inflammation of the uterine lining caused by bacterial, fungal, or viral
infections (e.g., Streptococcus, Escherichia coli).
 Reduces uterine health and embryo survival.
 Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM):
 A venereal disease caused by Taylorella equigenitalis, leading to
infertility and abortion.
 Equine Herpesvirus (EHV):
 Can cause abortion and reproductive failure.
 Pyometra:
 Severe uterine infection that hinders conception.

24. 3. Anatomical Causes
Uterine Adhesions or Scarring:
 Can result from previous infections, trauma, or dystocia.
Cervical Abnormalities:
 Congenital defects or scarring that impair sperm
transport or embryo retention.
Poor Perineal Conformation:
 Mares with poor vulvar conformation may have increased
risk of fecal contamination, leading to infections.

25. 4. Hormonal Causes
Luteal Insufficiency:
 Inadequate progesterone production leads to early
embryonic loss.
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID
or Cushing's):
 Alters hormonal balance, impacting fertility.
Persistent Corpus Luteum:
 Prevents the mare from returning to estrus.

26. 5. Metabolic Causes
 Obesity or Malnutrition:
 Hormonal imbalances due to overfeeding or underfeeding.
 Insulin Resistance or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS):
 Impairs ovarian function and overall reproductive health.
6. Age-Related Infertility
 Decline in Oocyte Quality:
 Older mares experience reduced fertility due to aging of eggs.
 Uterine Degeneration (Endometrosis):
 Scarring and fibrosis of the uterus, common in older mares, reduce the
ability to carry a pregnancy.

27. 7. Breeding-Related Issues
 Post-Breeding Endometritis:
 A common inflammatory response in mares after insemination or mating,
especially if not properly managed.
 Incorrect Timing of Breeding:
 Breeding outside the fertile window reduces conception chances.
8. Environmental and Management Factors
 Stress:
 High-stress environments or poor handling can disrupt estrus and fertility.
 Poor Stallion or Semen Quality:
 Suboptimal semen can result in failed conception.
 Inadequate Lighting:
 Seasonal breeders like mares require sufficient daylight hours for normal
cycling.

28. 9. Genetic or Congenital Issues
 Chromosomal Abnormalities:
 Conditions like XO syndrome (Turner syndrome) can cause infertility.
 Developmental Defects:
 Improperly formed reproductive organs.

29. Ewes And Caprine
Infertility in sheep can be caused by many factors, including:
Infectious diseases
 These include:Brucella ovis: Can cause epididymitis and
reduced sperm production
 Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis: Can cause
abscesses or inflammation that decrease sperm production
 Toxoplasmosis: Can cause late abortions and stillbirths
 Campylobacteriosis: A common cause of fertility issues in
sheep

30. Nutritional deficiencies
 Poor nutrition can lead to reproductive problems
Environmental factors
 These include:Clover disease: Grazing on pastures with more than 30%
Trifolium species clovers early in the growing season can reduce conception
rates
 Weather: Weather conditions can affect reproductive performance
Ewe condition
 Ewes that are thin, lactating, or recently weaned may have difficulty being
bred

31. Body condition score
 Rams with a low body condition score at the start of the
breeding season may have low reproductive efficiency
 Other causes of infertility in sheep include:
 Anovulatory period, Pain from balanoposthitis, Contagious
ecthyma, Lameness, Inexperience, Phytoestrogens, and
Mycotoxins.
 To control reproductive issues, you can try vaccinations and
improving nutrition.

32. II- STRUCTURAL CAUSES:
• Structural defects of the genital organs are uncommon in sheep theses
include:
• 1. Freemartin condition is unlikely but incidences of 2.3 - 1.1 % have been
recorded.
• 2. Intersexuality is seen; they are male pseudohermaphrodites.
• 3. Occlusion of oviducts and hydrosalpinx causes ovine infertility and sterility.
• 4. Vaginitis: Whenever either non parturient or parturient vaginitis is
encountered in sheep
• 5. Ovarian tumors are rarely reported in sheep. A granulosa cell tumor is the
most common type of ovarian tumors occurring in ewes.
– Animals may exhibit nymphomania.
– Ultrasonography reveals an enlarged ovary.
– Treatment of such case is by ovariectomy

33. Intersexuality
Hermaphroditism

34. Intersex Goat.
Close examination of the external genitalia showed this goat to be a
hermaphrodite. It behaved like a buck, mounting does, and the hair on its
neck stood up. Notice the absence of a prepuce.

35. Intersex Genitalia.
Small vulva and a prominent, protruding,
rudimentary penis. Intersexuality is
more common in polled breeds.

36. Milking Buck Syndrome.
Lactation was triggered in this male goat (buck) as a result of a pituitary tumor
leading to excessive production of prolactin. Not an intersex.

37. III- FUNCTIONAL CAUSES:
• 1. Anestrus and subestrus are uncommon in sheep
• 2. Cystic ovarian disease: cystic ovaries appear to be more
common in goats than in sheep.
• The use of some super-ovulation protocols (PMSG),
– possible phosphorus deficiency and
– feeding of estrogenic compounds may be associated with the
formation of cystic ovaries.
• Treatment with LH (750 to 1000 IU) or GnRH (50 to 100 µg)
may be effective.

38. Perimetritis, cystic follicles and bilateral
hydrosalphinx. Note the extensive deposition
of fibrin on the uterine, ovarian and
salphingeal serosae

39. Bilateral bursal cyst: There is bilateral
accumulation of fluid in the ovarian bursa

40. Cystic ovarian disease: Cystic graffian follicle and uterine wall thickening. Inset is
the close up of the incised ovarian cyst. The uterine mucosa had numerous pin
point cysts

41. Inactive ovaries (A) and cystic corpora lutea (B)
(A)
(B)

42. Granulosa thecal cell tumour of the left ovary and a cystic
round structure attached on to the tumour (arrow). Note the
general atrophy of the uterine horns.

43. • Ultrasonogram of Hydrometra.
Cloud burst or pseudo pregnancy. The ultrasonogram shows large fluid-
filled compartments which are separated by thin tissue walls (trabeculae).
There are no fetuses, nor placentomes. The compartments undulate when
the doe moves, or when the abdomen is succussed.

44. • Pyometra:
Corpora lutea
(arrows) are
evident in the
right ovary

45. • Mummy.
Totally inspissated, sterile mummy. The fetus died
between three and four months of gestation

46. BITCH
Infectious Causes
• Canine Brucellosis:
 Caused by Brucella canis, leading to infertility, abortions, or stillbirths.
• Pyometra:
 A life-threatening uterine infection causing infertility and requiring
immediate intervention.
• Vaginitis or Endometritis:
 Infections of the vagina or uterine lining disrupt conception or
implantation.
• Canine Herpesvirus:
 Can cause abortion, stillbirths, or weak puppies.