VOLUME
55 (3
), 2000
1
2
2
2
2
1. IVABS, Massey University, Palmesrton North, New Zealand
2. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid-Jordan.
A survey was conducted in Northern Jordan to determine the incidence of gross reproductive tract abnormalities in cattle. A total of 200 specimens of bovine reproductive tracts were collected from cows slaughtered at a local abattoir in Irbid, Jordan between
1993-1994. The results of the investigation showed that a large number of slaughtered cows (n=27; 13.5%) were pregnant. A total of 27 (13.5%) specimens had lesions. The predominant lesion of the ovaries was ovarian inactivity (21 cases; 10.5%), ovarobursal adhesions (16 cases; 8%) and cysts (14 cases; 7%). Other, interesting rare pathological lesions of the ovaries were bilateral ovarian hematoma and tuberculosis. Twenty specimens
(10%) had uterine lesions, the most common of which were infections, presenting as metritis and pyometra. Seven specimens (3.5%) had oviduct lesions, which included hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx and hemosalpinx.
Investigation of bovine reproductive abnormalities based on a survey of abattoir specimens provides a great deal of information on prevalence of reproductive disorders and their incidence (1). Although it is not an exact reflection of conditions, data from such a study will be conclusive and useful if extended to more than one calendar year. It would also be more realistic if it involved more than one abattoir where different age groups or parity of cows
(cows vs. heifers) were slaughtered since in the latter inherited or congenital defects may be encountered which are rarely found in the former group (2,3).
The present study was designed as a research project for final year students to acquaint them with the incidence of normal and abnormal bovine reproductive organs based on locally slaughtered cows.
Two hundred bovine reproductive tracts were collected at random intervals from cows slaughtered for various reasons in a local abattoir in Irbid, Jordan between 1993-1994. The specimens were transported to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Jordan University of
Science and Technology, Irbid. Each specimen was grossly examined in the laboratory in order to determine the nature of the reproductive abnormality and its location in the tract.

Lesions were diagnosed, evaluated by measurement using ruler and caliber (4) and then photographed. Representative samples of some pathological conditions were cultured and portions were also dissected for histopatholgy.
The results of the examination indicated that a number of cows (27; 13.5%) were pregnant at slaughter and that some of these were pathological pregnancies (Table 1). It also showed that 27 (13.5%) specimens had one lesion while some specimens had multiple lesions. For example, a specimen with an ovarobursal adhesion had hydrosalpinx or pyosalpinx and ovarian hematoma was accompanied by hemosalpinx (Tables 2 and 3). Some of the ovarian and oviduct lesions were rare, such as bilateral hematoma of the ovaries with extension to oviducts in a specimen from a heifer and ovarian tuberculosis.
Table 1:
Pregnant specimens
Abnormal pregnancy
27
Twining 3
Fetal maceration
Abnormal contents uterine
3
2
13.5 Of the total
1.5 2 dizygotic and 1 momozygotic bicornual twin.
1.5 2 specimens were singleton and 1monozygotic unicornual twin.
1 1 blood tinged uterine contents with floating inspissated masses
Table 2:
Classification
Inactive ovaries
Ovarobursal adhesions
Cysts
Cystic corpus luteum
Parovarian cysts
Bilobed ovaries
Hemorrhage
Ovarian hematoma
Ovarian tuberculosis
No. examined Percent abnormal Remarks
21 10.5
16
14
4
4
2
1
1
1
8
7
2
2
1
0.5
0.5
0.5
Luteinized & Follicular
Bilateral
On the ovarian surface
Table 3

Type of abnormality
UTERUS
Recent involution
Pyometra
Metritis
Hydrometra uterine
Perimetritis
Uterine edema
Perimetrial adhesions
Parametrial adhesion
Parametrial adhesion
Permetrial granuloma
Parauterine abscess
Papillary structures at uterotubal junction
Uterine tumor
OVIDUCT
Hydrosalpinx
Salpingintis
Hemosalpinx
Adhesion
CERVIX
Cyst
Atresia
Persistent of the median wall of Mullerian ducts
Abscess
VAGINA
Gartner's duct cyst
VULVA
Granular vulvaginitis
Number abnormal
26
6
2
1
1
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
1
7
3
2
1
1
4
1
1
Percent abnormal
13
3.5
2
2
The data obtained from this study reflect the high incidence of gross reproductive abnormalities in cows randomly chosen for slaughter in an Irbid abattoir. Most of these lesions were acquired, as manifested by the high incidence of ovarobursal adhesions, metritis and pyometra and were probably due to breeding and postpartum complications. Many factors contribute to the predisposition of the reproductive tracts to infections during these periods.
Several authors (5,6,7) reported that lack of sanitary precautions in artificial breeding of cows might predispose to a variety of specific and nonspecific microorganisms. A case of macerated fetus in pregnant specimens in Jordan (8), where natural breeding of cows is a more common practice than artificial insemination, confirms the above statement. Therefore, probabilities of spreading venereal diseases such as trichomoniasis, vibriosis and other specific reproductive tract infection cannot be excluded. Factors such as twinning, dystocia, retained placenta, metabolic disorders and age of the cow, play a role in postpartum uterine infections (9,10). Most of the cows that were slaughtered were actually culled cows with problems. This observation documents well the finding of high incidence of genital tract infections. For example, metritis with extension of the inflammatory process to the adjacent structures as to the serosal layer resulting in perimetritis and with adhesions to the broad
Remarks
total abnormal
Involuntary changes

ligament or to the rectum and bladder with consequent perimetrial granuloma developed as organized perimetrial lesion and pyometra such as was observed in this and similar studies
(11,12,13). A parauterine abscess was observed in one specimen as a smooth circumscribed spherical mass, 5-10 cm in diameter, adhering to the left uterine horn, broad ligament and bladder, which can be attributed to perforating uterine wound resulting from catheterization, biopsy instrument and from other sharp objects. It was interesting to find a number of specimens with twinning pregnancy, as it is known that the cow is usually not a multiparous species. However, it was reported that the incidence of twinning in beef cows is less than 1% and in dairy cows 3.5%. The incidence of monzygotic twins in cows is 8-10% and that 90% of the twins are bicornual and 10% unicornual (14). In any case, twinning in cattle is undesirable because of the probabilities of fetal losses, abortion, dystocia, prolonged uterine involution and high incidence of fetal abnormalities, as for example freemartinsim in dizygotic twins and conjoined twins in monozygotic twins (10).
Some specimens in the recent study indicated recent parturition and early uterine involution by the relatively large size of the reproductive tract, presence of furrows on the uterine surface and signs of trauma to the birth canal (15).
Another rare uterine abnormality observed in the present study was a bilateral distention of the uterine horns with serosanguinous fluid containing freely floating grayish inspissated masses. This condition has been mentioned (10,16) and develops consequent to segmental aplasia of the horns or persistent hymen (17), which impedes flow of cyclic uterine secretions with consequent dehydration and hardening. Hydrometra, seen in two cases, develops in the same manner as mentioned above but the degree of hydration varies.
The uterine tumor that was observed in one specimen in the present study was a circumscribed mass of 6-8 cm in diameter, located at the dorsal aspect of the left horn and was diagnosed later as leiomyoma. This type of tumor is considered the most common of the uterine smooth muscle tumors (18).
The oviduct lesions were mostly of the occlusive type resulting in distension of the oviducts with fluid, pus or blood. Hydrosalpinx is a common gross reproductive abnormality, which is congenital or an acquired obstructive lesion of the oviduct (18). Pyosalpinx is less common than hydrosalpinx, and is usually due to salpingitis of descending infection, as in metritis and pyometra (18). Hemosalpinx is a rare occurrence. In the present study it followed bilateral hematoma of the ovaries observed in a slaughtered heifer. Small, smooth ovaries devoid of dominant structures, characterized the high incidence of ovarian inactivity noted in this study.
This can be attributed to malnourishment and not to hypoplasia of hereditary origin (19).
Since Jordan is an arid country and cows are feedlot, not pastoral, undernourishment will be the main cause of such an abnormality (20). Nutritional deficiency and low energy diets were the major causes of inactive ovaries observed in cows during postpartum period (20) and in anestrus preservice cows (21). The high incidence of ovarobursal adhesions was similar to that in other studies (22). A periovarian adhesion usually results from ovarian trauma or peritonitis that may lead to blocking the transport of ova from the ovaries and embryo through the tubular tract. Such an abnormality may also occur when some veterinarians practice manual expression of the corpus luteum and cyst rupture. Therapeutic uterine irrigation with irritative fluids in large volumes may leak to the bursa and provoke an inflammatory response which, when organized, leads to adhesions.
The ovarobursal adhesions were different from ovulation tags, which are strands of fibrous tissue extending from the ovarian surface to the bursa resulting from post-ovulation hemorrhage. The adhesions noted in the present study were classified as mild, consisting of few fibrous strands, moderate with more than a few strands of fibrous tissue but not enough to interfere with ovulation and, finally, extensive fibrous tissue which conceals the ovaries and impedes ovulation.
The majority of the ovarian cysts were thick-walled and luteinized and a few were follicular.
These findings were similar to those of other previous studies (23,24). The etiology and predisposing factors of the ovarian cyst in cows has attracted the attention of many authors

(25, 26). However, cyst persistence was attributed to abnormal uterine condition (27).
Luteinzed cysts were more common than follicular ones in the present study, as reported by others (28). Lutienized ovarian cysts were experimentally induced by testosterone injections
(27). In chronic long-standing cases, virilism was the prominent feature characterized by musculinized phenotype, thick neck, atrophy of the udder, hypertrophy of the clitoris, aggressive behavior, and high pitched voice (buller) (29). It is to be noted that therapeutic uses of steroids are common practice in Jordan. This might be a predisposing factor added with environmental stress.
Cystic corpus luteum was grossly undifferentiated from noncystic. A papillary projection, known as a "crown", is also apparent and indicates the site of ovulation. However, on palpation it feels softer and, when cut, reveals a central lacunae or cavity of 0.5-0.8 cm in diameter, due to incomplete lutein tissue formation (30). This type of corpus luteum was previously described as nonpathological (31) as cows bearing such corpus luteum in their ovaries secreted enough progesterone to maintain pregnancy and their estrous cycle was not altered from normal.
Parovarian cysts are frequently observed on the mesovarium and mesosalpinx. They are knows as epošphron and parošphron and are remnant of the mesonephric or wollfian tubules.
They are grossly visible as translucent vesicles on the broad ligament and a large one, called hydatid of Morgagni, MŸllerian origin, located close to the fimbria (32,33). Their presence is insignificant and is very seldom of pathological consequence unless they impinge on the oviduct (17).
Ovarian hematoma was described as spontaneously occurring in calves for unknown reasons
(15) and has also been frequently reported in equine (35). In the present study, the finding was considered to be a rare occurrence (36) since it was observed in a heifer. The lesions were bilateral and their sizes were between 10-to15 cm. The swelling was grossly visible as a blood clot within a thin-shelled ovarian integument involving the oviducts. The ovarian surface felt smooth and fluctuating on digital manipulation.
Tuberculosis of the genital tract was described (18) as an involvement from miliary visceral tuberculosis. In the present study it was not possible to perform further investigations on the carcass. However, both ovaries were studded by a number of tubercles, the size of each varying from 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter with bilateral bursal adhesions. Further follow-up of the condition on culture and identification revealed Mycobacterium bovis.
Hemorrhages on the ovarian surface may be attributed to the extension of perimetritis, ovarian trauma inflicted by rough manipulation and persistent corpus luteum expression. The condition was different from corpora hemorrhgia of recent ovulation as a blood-filled craterlike depression indicated the latter (36).
Cyst of the cervix, which was encountered in the present study, was previously described in cows as a retention cyst (18). Fetal remnant of the median wall of MŸllerian ducts existed in one specimen as a fibrous band posterior to the external cervical opening dividing it into what is called a double cervix (37). This is frequently described in veterinary literature (37) as the source of problems during parturition.
Other findings in the vagina and vulva region were cysts of the Gartner's duct (38). They were somewhat elongated, tortuous, distended fluid-filled vesicular structures in the floor of the posterior vagina. These are also described as vestigial fetal remnant of mesonephric ducts, which become prominent and grossly visible in conditions as in hyperestroginism involving other glands in this region, for example Bartholin glands (39). Granular vulvovaginitis was observed in one specimen. These were visible as elevated lesions scattered at the lateral mucosal surface when the lower vulva commissures were widely apart. They have been described as an inflammatory reaction to mycoplasma infection (40). These results closely resembled previous studies (41,42,43). Although data inferred from such studies are useful, it

will be more conclusive if concurrently epidemiological surveys were also conducted as was shown in some other studies (44).
We conclude that the results of the present survey may help to provide information on the prevalence of bovine reproductive diseases in northern Jordan. Accordingly, the bovine practitioners will have added knowledge for appropriate preventive measures to be taken.
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