180
Genital Abnormalities of Indian Cow and Buffalo
because, failing previous oestra history, the age of a
corpus luteum after three weeks can only be guessed
by the appearance of further regular ovarian acti-
vity ; but in historyless slaughterhouse specimens
there is nothing to show whether one or more æstral
periods have been missed or, whether an intermediate
false heat has occurred.
In the buffalo, the immature follicles are not
generally so superficial and the mottling of the sur-
face of the ovary is therefore not often present.
The thinning of the apex of the maturing follicle is
less noticeable than in the cow. In this work,
follicles varied from 5 to 16 mm. diameter, but
those easily rupturable ranged from 10 to 16 mm.
A maturing, but as yet not superficial follicle on
a cut face of the gland, appears at Plate VIII, fig. 1.
At Plate VIII, fig. 2, is illustrated a recently and
naturally ruptured follicle filled with blood clot and
coagulum. Plate VIII, fig. 5 illustrates an unrup-
tured, nearly mature follicle (left extremity of the
gland). McNutt [1924] says there is no haemorrhage
into the recently ruptured follicle of the cow,
but in the buffalo, at least, this appears to
occur.
The newly formed corpus luteum is about 13 mm.
diameter and is pinkish-grey, veined with red (Plate
VIII, fig. 3). This veining, together with a whorling
of the luteal substance, gives the cut surface of the
corpus luteum a marbled appearance characteristic
of the buffalo. At this stage a small haemorrhagic
protrusion is usually present. Enlargement up to
20 mm. diameter continues until several days
before the next follicle ruptures but, unlike the cow,
the greyish-pink veined coloration remains; and
it is notable that never during the cycle is the luteal
substance yellow. The protrusion is sometimes
very large indeed, often larger than the body itself
(Plate VIII, fig. 5). In the event of conception, the
corpus luteum remains at its maximum (Plate VIII,
fig. 9) and the peculiar greyish-green depicted in
the plate is not uncommonly encountered, either
during pregnancy or when the corpus luteum is
mature. As regression occurs, the red-veining of
the body and haemorrhage on the protrusion dis-
appears, and the whole turns white (Plate VIII,
figs. 6 and 7). Then the protrusion becomes over-
grown and the corpus luteum sinks into the stroma.
Later the body becomes stone coloured and 5 to
7 mm. diameter (Plate VIII, fig. 8). In the buffalo,
luteal protrusions were slightly commoner than in
the cow, viz. in 58.8 per cent of 71 observed cases.
Their size varied from 3 to 10 mm., the largest
being 16 mm. diameter, and their apices were mostly
very haemorrhagic. McNutt [1924] mentions central
cavities in the corpus luteum of the cow, but such
were not observed in those of the Indian zebu. In
the buffalo, however, they were relatively common
varying from 3 to 5 mm. diameter.
II. SOME PATHOLOGICAL CONDITION OF THE GENI
TALIA OF PUNJAB COWS AND BUFFALOES
The organs examined in this work were ex-slaugh
terhouse and presumably a large proportion were
animals condemned for sterility. On this account
with the exception of metritis, no figures of lesion
incidence have been attempted while inter-species
comparison has likewise been avoided.
Metritis. Among the uteri of 45 cows and 185
buffaloes, the mucosae of 15 (33 per cent) and 37
(20 per cent) respectively were congested. Metritis
therefore, is relatively common in the Punjab cattle
Two common types of metritis were distinguished
—a chronic and an acute. In the chronic type,the
lining of the whole organ was furred and greyish
cream in colour. The uterine wall was flaccid and
without tone, often with a milky exudate on the
mucosa. Occasionally patches of congestion oc-
curred, especially in the tips of the horns ; but, while
uncommon here, they were even rarer in the uterine
body. The cotyledons, however, were uniformly
suppressed. In almost all cases, the ovaries were
a functional, and the stroma of the gland was homo
geneous and fibrous. This condition would produce
irrevocable sterility and was more frequent in the
cow.
In acute metritis, the uterine wall was more or
less tonic, and the furring of the mucosa was lacking
Congestion, however, was much more prevalent
ranging from small patches in the tips of one 01
both horns to widespread inflammation. The amount
of exudate varied with the degree of congestion
it was cream to coffee coloured and sometimes very
sticky. The apices of the cotyledons were generally
more congested than other parts and were often
slightly necrotic. The ovaries were usually func-
tional and normal, but in a few one or other had
become fibrous and afunctional, resembling those
of the 'chronic' uterus.
Richter [1926] says, 53 per cent of sterilities in
Europe, are due to metritis; Webster [1932] in
New Zealand gives 5.4 per cent. In the present
work the ratio of metritis to total disease was 33
per cent in cows and 22 per cent in buffaloes. Whe-
ther ovarian dysfunction precedes metritis, pro-
ducing an easily invaded uterus, or whether bacterial
invasion is primary and ovarian dysfunction secon-
dary, is debatable. As far as acute metritis is
concerned, the writers prefer the latter view, for
although, cervicitis is perhaps uncommon in India
in many of the metritis cases examined the ovaries
were apparently normal. Failing exudate and con-
gestion in a 'chronic' uterus, the ovaries being
functionless, it is difficult to decide whether the
lesion is primary, or the result of improper uterine
stimulation. It is peculiar that congestion is most
common in the uterine horns, farthest from external
contamination, but perhaps a more stagnant drain