NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
STERILITY IN THE COW IN INDIA AND ITS CONTROL
309
parturition due to bad hygiene, at coitus through the agency of a bull, through
the circulation, by extension from the neighbouring organs and tissues, e.g., the
peritoneum, or the infection may have been existing inside the body when a heifer
reached puberty, as a result of which she will not hold to the bull. In the latter
case according to Williams there is probably a foetal infection which is carried by
the circulation to its seat of predilection in the gential organs.
The various parts of the cow's genitals being interconnected with a direct
passage from the vulva to the ovarian bursa, there is obviously a considerable degree
of opportunity for extension of disease processes.
The extent and nature of the lesions will naturally depend on the degree and
kind of infection and the state of the genital organs. It varies from a simple
catarrhal to a muco-purulent, purulent or cystic degeneration of the mucosa of the
oviduct, uterus, cervix and vagina. Cystic degeneration in the uterine wall,
oviduct, etc., is the result of retention cysts of the mucous glands in the mucosa,
the ducts of which have become occluded with the inflammatory exudate. Only
the mucosa or in severe cases the muscular and even the serous coats of these
organs may be involved in the inflammatory process.
These infections, especially of the uterus and Fallopian tubes, may result in
cystic degeneration of the Graafian follicle or corpus luteum in the ovary (infection
usually occurring from the oviduct or the peritoneum especially when an ovisac is
freshly ruptured). These cysts may be single or multiple. Williams [1921]
believes metritis to be secondary to ovarian disease and dependent on atony of the
genitalia. This is not feasible except in the case of nymphomania.
These micro-organisms lead to the production of inflammatory lesions and
other destructive changes in the genital tract and bring about sterility in the
following ways :—
(i) The spermatozoa and the ovum may be prevented from coming together
due to abnormalities of the genital tract, e.g., salpingitis, chronic cervicitis, etc.,
or may be destroyed by the inflammatory exudate due to the development of
spermolysin and spermotoxin.
(ii) The fertilised ovum may be destroyed by bacterial toxins or may die
from malnutrition, as a result of failure of its developing embryonic envelopes to
become embedded in the degenerated mucosa of the cotyledons of the chronic
metritic uterus.
(iii) The foetus may go on well for a few months and the infection in the
uterus may reach such an extent as to cause death of the foetus, resulting from the
destruction of the cotyledons causing thereby asphyxiation and malnutrition of
the foetus. Sepsis may follow and abortion may occur. The placental membrane
may be retained with the usual consequences.
(iv) Cystic degeneration of the Graafian follicle.—This results in irregularity
in the oestral cycle which later develops into more or less continuous heat
310 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. [V, IV
(nymphomania) and the animal remains sterile. There is exaggerated sexual
desire exhibited by mounting other animals or by standing to be mounted, pro-
gressive loss of condition, relaxation of sacrosciatic ligaments which causes a
marked depression on either side of the root of the tail which appears elevated,
relaxed and flabby condition of the vulva and uterus, dilatation of the cervix
uteri and a condition of osteomalacia with danger of fractures (Plate XXIX,
Figs. 1 and 2).
Quinlan [1929], who kept certain nymphomanic animals under close obser-
vation, states that the symptoms of nymphomania disappear after some months,
probably when the cysts have destroyed all the ovarian tissue and the ovaries are
mere bladders.
(v) Cystic degeneration of the corpus luteum.—This may cause the oestral cycle
to be shortened or delayed and oestrum may even occur during pregnancy depend-
ing upon the rate at which the luteal tissue is destroyed.
(vi) Abnormal persistence of corpus luteum.—This may occur as a simple con-
dition or be associated with pathological changes in other parts of the genital tract,
e.g., in the pyometra, or a macerating or dessicating foetus lying inside the uterus.
(vii) Perioophoritis.—This may result from peritoneal infection and cause
adhesions of the ovaries to the surrounding structures. Such cases are to be
regarded as permanently sterile.
The result of the examinations conducted on the animals reported to be sterile
during the last five years at the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, may be sum-
marised as follows, with regard to etiology :—
Endometritis
........
Ovarian diseases
.......
Varying degrees of persistent hymen (partial)
No appreciable pathological lesion, but not coming in heat (Func-
tional)
Suspected salpingitis
......
Hermaphroditism
.......
Constriction of vagina
.......
Rectovaginal rupture
.......
Pregnant
........
Per cent.
32
20
24
3 cases.
10
3
One case.
(Plate XXVI).
One case.
One case.
5%
In several cases, more than one diseased condition were co-existing.
DIAGNOSIS.
For a proper diagnosis, the history of the case should be obtained and a
general examination of the animal and a special examination of her genital organs
should be conducted.
Ind. Jour. Vety. Sci. & Anim. Husb. Vol. V, Pt. 4.
PLATE XXVII
Figure 1.
Rectal examination of the reproductive organs in a sterile Cow.
FIG. 1. Non-pregnant—with hand in rectum (R). After feeling the hard cervix (C)
the division of the uterine horns (U) can be felt on the brim of the pelvis, and following
these round, the ovaries (O) can easily be detected and the protruding corpus luteum.
squeezed out. (A) is the cavity of the rumen.
Figure 2.
Rectal examination of the reproductive organs in a pregnant cow.
FIG. 2. In late pregnancy—with hand in rectum (R). The cervix (C) can be felt
but the uterus (U) and ovaries have dropped into the body cavity and only the lower end of
the uterus and fœtus (F) and a few of the cotyledons (P) can be touched. (A) is the cavity
of the rumen.
FIGS. 1 & 2 reproduced by courtesy of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, England.
STERILITY IN THE COW IN INDIA AND ITS CONTROL
311
I. History.—This should include the following:—
(i) Previous calvings.—Whether they were normal or associated with some
difficulty (dystokia) and whether the calves were born alive or dead (still-born).
If born alive, were they healthy or weak and sickly, dying a short period after
birth ?
(ii) Retention of foetal membranes.—This is a very common primary cause of
genital infections resulting in sterility.
(iii) Abortion.—The possibility of cases of contagious abortion having occurred
in the herd should be carefully investigated. The results of previous agglutination
tests against Bang's disease or the result of the bacteriological examination of the
material obtained from any aborted foetus (heart blood and stomach contents)
may be enquired into if they have been conducted.
(iv) Regularity of œstrum ;
(v) General behaviour, e.g., exaggerated sexual desire as in nymphomania ;
(vi) History of lactation ;
(vii) Conditions of feeding, exercise, pasture facilities, general hygiene and
sex hygiene.
II. General examination.—The animal should be examined for evidence of:—
(i) Discharge from the vulva.
(ii) Abnormalities in the external genitals, e.g., swollen, flabby, relaxed or
inflamed, etc.
(iii) Pelvic deformities which are characteristic of nymphomania.
(iv) General impairment in health. Loss in condition may be due to defec-
tive nutrition, nymphomania, or some other cause.
An irregularity in the œstrum, exaggerated sexual desire or typical pelvic
deformities of nymphomania at once point to an ovarian trouble, while any
abnormal discharge from the vulva indicates inflammatory changes in the genital
tract.
III. Special examination.—To carry this out successfully, one requires proper
restraint for the animal and the use of suitable instruments. (Plate XXVIII.)
(i) Examination per rectum.—(Plate XXVII). It should precede examination
per vaginum, as there may exist unsuspected pregnancy. Trim the nails,
lubricate the hands and arm, perform back-raking (if possible fasting over-
night) and palpate the underlying structures. The manipulations should be per-
formed very gently as the rectal mucous membrane is very delicate.
First feel the cervix uteri, which is a comparatively large mass lying quite
near on the pelvic floor in a non-pregnant animal and from there proceed further,
palpating the body of the uterus, its bifurcation, the cornua, the Fallopian
tubes and the ovaries.
STERILITY IN THE COW IN INDIA AND ITS CONTROL
313
Litmus reaction of the vaginal and cervical mucus should be noted. It has
been found that some heifers have a pronounced acid reaction in their cervical
mucus which is an unhealthy condition and is injurious to spermatozoa.
In recent years Stoss and Mai have used forcing of air from the uterus
through the Fallopian tubes as a means of diagnosis of salpingitis. The manometer
shows 160 m.m. pressure of mercury which gradually sinks in normal tubes but
remains constant if the tubes are occluded on account of salpingitis.
PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT
The aim of the veterinarian and livestock owners should be towards prevention
rather than treatment. Treatment should only be applied when the animal
may be restored to breeding usefulness without any danger of the condition which
induced the sterility being handed on to the offspring.
In this connection we must consider the findings of Marshal and Hammond
[1926], Wester [1921] and Richter [1919], who have agreed that fertility is here-
ditary. In cattle certain families, " shybreeders ", become practically extermi-
nated as a result of failure to breed, when other families in the same herds showed
normal increase. Possibly indiscriminate in-breeding is also responsible for this
condition, to a certain extent.
In handling sterility, one should note that the nervous system connects the
genital apparatus with the body and this with the outside world. The function
of the generative organs is dependant upon normal sympathetic—parasympathetic
equilibrium and this again on the conditions of life, e.g., nutrition, sunlight, and
the normal functioning of the endocrine glands as well as the ion-equilibrium of
the body fluids.
I. Prophylaxis.—This should be adopted on the following lines:—
(i) Provide suitable hygienic conditions of light, cleanliness and venti-
lation.
(ii) Sufficient exercise at pasture is essential for the maintenance of normal
health.
(iii) Diet should be well balanced in quality and quantity especially in
relation to proteins (not over 15 per cent), minerals particularly phos-
phorus, iodine and calcium and vitamins out of which vitamins A
and E are of great importance. Fresh green food is an essential
element in the ration of breeding animals.
(iv) Sex hygiene.—This is of the utmost importance in order to keep the
incidence of genital diseases at its minimum. Suspicious cows
with vaginal discharge should be isolated, suitably treated and not
served till definitely cured (at second normal œstrum).
C
314 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [V, IV
(v) Take best hygienic care of the pregnant animals especially during the
puerperal period to prevent bacterial infection of the genital tract.
Any pathological condition occurring at or after parturition should
be suitably treated.
The prevention of sterility in a heifer, which has reached breeding age in
good sexual health, is pre-eminently a problem of avoiding
endometritis.
(vi) If several cases of sterility occur on a farm, suspend all breeding opera-
tions temporarily and conduct a thorough clinical examination of
all the animals. Remove hopelessly sterile animals and sell them to
the butcher, whereas, curable cases should be segregated and treated.
(vii) Control of Bang's disease.—This briefly consists of frequent aggluti-
nation tests of the herd (first quarterly and then half-yearly), segre-
gating the positive ones, adopting hygienic measures at the time of
parturition or abortion, proper disposal of the aborted foetus and the
foetal membranes, disinfection of the cow's genitals and the premises.
A separate bull should be allotted for the positive cases under seg-
regation. If the percentage of such cases is low and the circum-
stances permit, it would be advisable to dispose of them to the
butcher.
Vaccination against the disease is not yet finally proved to be of great value
in its control.
At the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, Punjab, chemotherapy with collargol
and carbolic acid has been tried, but with inconsistent results.
II. Treatment.—A correct diagnosis and provision of the necessary instru-
ments (Plate XXVIII) are essential before proceeding with the treatment of a
case of sterility. It is important, that each case should be treated on its own
merits and the treatment may be varied if no marked improvement is noticed.
Affected animals should be isolated in a hygienic stall and given a well balanced
ration and plenty of green fodder. Prohibit service by a bull while a cow is under
treatment.
For vaginitis, warm mild antiseptic douches (e.g., Normal saline solution or
5 per cent solution of sodium bicarbonate), followed by the application of a 5 per
cent solution of Argyrol may be carried on with good results.
For acute cervicitis treatment is similar to that of vaginitis, but the Argyrol
solution can be applied on the os externum and into the cervical canal by means of
uterine dressing forceps.
For chronic cervicitis, a hot mild antiseptic douche, followed by the applica-
tion of 1 per cent Lugol solution in and around the cervix gives good results. Mani-
pulation of the organ may be done to stimulate congestion and repair, and to give
tone to the part. Iodoform and bismuth subnitras or iodoform and boric acid
Ind. Jour. Vety. Sci. & Anim. Husb. Vol. V, Pt. 4.
PLATE XXVIII
1. Vaginal speculum with artificial
illumination.
2. Uterine forceps - correctly applied.
3. Syringe with a special uterine nozzle
attachment.
4. Double channel uterine catheter.
5. Cervix dilator.
6. Cervical dressing forceps.
By courtesy of Instituto Superiore di Medicina Veterinaria di Milano (Gerosa and Mirri)
STERILITY IN THE COW IN INDIA AND ITS CONTROL.
315
pessaries or Protargol sticks may be used in cervicitis and vaginitis. Conklin
has used sticks made of cocoa butter, animal charcoal and iodoform as absorp-
tive and to keep down the bacterial growth.
For metritis, flush out the uterus with a warm antiseptic lotion by means of a
double channel catheter. If there is a macerated or mummified foetus lying in-
side the uterus bring about artificial abortion by dislodging the corpus luteum
and inserting a belladonna plug into the cervix which will relax and the expulsion
of the uterine contents may occur in about 48 hours. Douching should be conti-
nued till the return flow is clear. Then inject 1 to 2 ounces of 5 to 10 per cent
Argyrol solution or 1 to 5 per cent mercurochrome solution. Massage the uterus
and the ovaries per rectum and rupture any cyst that may be present on the ova-
ries. Ovarian and uterine massage stimulates the functional activity of the
genital tract, tones up these organs and brings about early repair.
Nielsen's iodine treatment gives quite good results and consists of intra-
uterine injection of iodine solution into each horn (a hand in the rectum checks
its progress), and is left there. It causes an irritant action on the endometrium
with a consequent hastening action of uterine involution and repair. In mild
cases one injection of 150 to 200 c.c. of 1 per cent solution may effect recovery
in about 50 per cent of cases. Wait for a month to judge the efficacy of the first
injection and allow service when animal comes in heat. In other cases two or three
injections may be required with an interval of one month to effect a cure. In
severe cases as " Flour albus " or white flow (purulent metritis) 20 to 25 c.c. of
5 per cent tincture of iodine and for pyometra 50 to 100 c.c. of the same may be
injected into each horn. In such cases the cow should not be served after one
injection and the treatment should be repeated at one or more week's interval.
Rivanol (Bayer) 1 in 1,000 gives more rapid and resulting effects than iodine
when the exudate is purulent.
Albrechtsen has tried electrolysis treatment with very good results although
the procedure is a tedious one. It consists in filling the uterus with copper sul-
phate solution, inserting the anode into it and connecting the cathode with the
current, the strength of which may be controlled at will. Continue this for 5
minutes in each horn. Fine particles of copper are deposited on the uterine
mucosa due to breaking down of the copper sulphate solution. On account of
the contraction of the uterine wall occurring due to this treatment, some uneasi-
ness is felt by the animal.
As a useful adjunct in endometritis, two intramuscular injections of " Con-
tramine " in 2 c.c. doses at 6 to 7 days interval may be given. This chemothera-
peutic product has a definite bacteriolytic action especially on Brucella abortus
Bang.
Opperman's yatrin vaccine (a polyvalent sterility vaccine) may be tried in
cases of metritis and salpingitis etc.
Ind. Jour. Vety. Sci & Anim . Husb. Vol. V, Pt. 4.
PLATE XXIX
1. Ovarian cysts (single and multiple)
2. Characteristic rump changes in a nympho-
manic cow.
3. Enucleation of corpus luteum per rectum.
4. Puncture of an ovarian cyst by means of a trocar and cannula per rectum.
By courtesy of Instituto Superiore di Medicina Veterinaria di Milano (Gerosa and Mirri.)
STERILITY IN THE COW IN INDIA AND ITS CONTROL.
317
calf of the same breed as the recipient and about 6 to 12 months of age. In
youth there is little fibrous tissue in the ovaries because of the few times ovula-
tion has occurred. Usually an ovary is grafted on the side corresponding to the
one from which it has been obtained. Remove the ovary from the abdomen
aseptically, and keep it on a sterile swab as near blood heat as possible. Remove
the capsule of the ovary, otherwise anastomosis does not occur when grafted.
Divide it into two pieces and aseptically place in " pits " made by removing a
piece from the muscles on the neck and the pectoral region. Apply one catgut
suture each for the muscle lips and the skin. Sterile cleanliness and asepsis are
essential during the operation. Hot saline compresses are applied to the sites
of operation to promote blood supply and finally boracic powder is dusted over
the wounds.
Certain dairy cows come in heat very late after parturition with the result
that the dry period is lengthened which is undesirable. To shorten this period
" Prolan " has been tried at the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, with fairly
good results.
Williams uses Adrenaline chloride and Posterior pituitary extract in cases
of nymphomania and claims good results.
In cases of balooned vagina or curvature of cervix etc., the use of an artificial
inseminator may solve the difficulty.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
It is my pleasant duty to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. L. W. Smith,
Superintendent, Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, for taking a keen interest and
providing all facilities in the prosecution of this work. I am also indebted to
Mr. F. Ware, Director of this Institute, for his valuable advice and helpful criticism,
in the completion of this paper.
REFERENCES.
Baker, J. R. (1923). Sterility. N. V. M. A. Ann. Con. York.
Beaver, Donald C. (1922). Bacteriology and pathology of sterility in cattle.
Minnesota Agr. Expt. St., Tech. Bull. No. 5.
Conklin, R. L. (1930). Sterility—Its prophylaxis and treatment. Eleventh Int.
Vet. Con. London, P. 22.
Edwards, J. T. (1933). Infectious sterility in the larger domesticated animals.
Proc. Roy. Soc. Med. 26, 9, pp. 1192—1210.
Frei, W. (1930). Prophylaxis and therapie der sterilitat des weiblichen rindes.
Eleventh Int. Vet. Con., London, pp. 371—383.
Gerosa, G. and Mirri, A. (1929). La sterilita degli animali domestici.
Hammond, J. (1932). Sterility in cattle. Report of the Central Committee of
Milk Recording Society of England and Wales, pp. 92—32.
318 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. [V, IV
Hindmarsh, W. L. (1934). Sterility in dairy cows. Aust. Vet. J. 10, pp. 162—172
Imp. Bur. An. Nutr. (1932), Tech. Bull. 2. Nutrition in relation to reproduction
with special reference to sterility in farm animals.
Kaura, R. L. (1933). A Bovine Hermaphrodite. Vet. J. 89, 186-187.
Kingman, H. E. (1933). Functional Sterility—Its diagnosis and treatment based
upon endocrine and nervous control of the female genitalia. Vet. Med. 28,
346—386.
Nielsen, F. (1926). Researches concerning the etiology and pathogenesis of
sterility in dairy cows. N. V. M. A. Ann. Con. Dublin, pp. 199—287.
Orr, W. and Darling, F. F. (1932). The physiological and genital aspects of steri
lity in domesticated animals. Imp. Bur. An. Gen.
Quinlan, J. (1929). Researches into sterility of cows in South Africa. 15th Ann.
Rev. D. V. S. Union of S. Africa, pp. 863—1055.
(1930). Serility or reduced fertility of cattle in S. Africa. J. S. African
Vet. Med. Ass. 1, 4, pp. 21—30.
Theiler, A. (1934). The osteodystrophic diseases of domesticated animals.
Vet. J. 90, 159—175.
Tutt, J. F. D. (1933). Sterility in the cow. Vet. J. 89,4, pp. 165—171, 5,
pp. 194-202, and 6, pp. 242-255.
Voget-Moller, P., and Bay, F. (1931). On the treatment of sterility in
cows with wheat-germ oil (Vit. E.). Vet. J. 87, 4, pp. 165—170.
Wester, J. (1930). Sterility in cattle. Eleventh Int. Vet. Con., London, p. 14,
Williams, W. L. (1921). Diseases of the Genital Organs of Domestic
Animals
Ithaca, N. Y.
SULPHUR AND SULPHATE BALANCE EXPERIMENTS
WITH SHEEP.
BY
F. J.WARTH D.Sc., I.A.S., & T. S. KRISHNAN, B.A.,
Animal Nutrition Section, Bangalore.
(Received for publication on 4th July 1935).
Early work on rats by Osborne and Mendel, Ackroyd and Hopkins, Daniles
and Rich, Gerling, Jones and Finks, Westerman and Rose, Lewis and Lewis and
various others has shown that cystine is an essential amino acid which cannot be
synthesised by the animal body from other sulphur compounds. With the de-
velopment of research on wool production this question came to the forefront
again. The cystine content of pasture plants was investigated widely by Osborne,
Kozlowski, Sullivan, Aitken, Evans, Chibnall and numerous others, the results
still being of a conflicting nature [ Eraser, 1934-35 ] though there is a strong ten-
dency to believe that other sources of sulphur may be utilised for this purpose
[ King, 1932 ; Rimington and Bekker, 1932 ].
The line of work we have undertaken with sheep is based on earlier experi-
ments carried out by one of us [Warth, 1932 ] on cattle in which the sulphur
balance was determined. In this work the differentiation of sulphur compounds
was restricted to the two broadest classes, organic sulphur and inorganic sulphate.
The experiments showed that ingestion of sulphate with food by cattle led to some
loss of sulphate and some gain of organic sulphur. The present paper describes
similar tests with sheep.
PROCEDURE.
Two groups of three sheep (the number was later increased to four) were fed
the same ration in every respect except that one group received a supplement
of sodium sulphate, the other did not. At the end of six months and again at the
end of twelve months the groups were reversed with respect to sulphate feeding.
There were thus three experimental periods each covering about six months. Dur-
ing each period balance experiments were carried out to determine the intake
and outgo of sulphur in three forms, namely total sulphur, inorganic sulphate and,
by difference, organic sulphur. At the end of each period the animals were shorn
and the yield and the sulphur content of the wool determined.
( 319 )