Cervical Hypoplasia in Jennets: A Description of Two Cases

Abstract

The authors describe two cases of cervical hypoplasia in jennets, detected during the gynaecological evaluation of two purebred females of the Portuguese donkey breed Asinina de Miranda. These jennets aged 10 and 15 years were referred for consultation by the local breeders association because of infertility detected during an artificial breeding programme. In both jennets the cervix was small, shorter than the usual and closed. In one of the females, outflow of semen during artificial insemination was reported. Clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation of the genital tract demonstrated that both ovaries were normally sized in both animals and presenting structures suggestive of regular ovarian activity. In one of the jennets, a small amount of air in the uterus was evidenced. In the other, signs indicative of atresia of the cervical canal were found. Vaginal examination showed that the cervix was reduced in size and shallowed in both animals. A diagnosis of congenital cervical hypoplasia was made in both cases and the animals were excluded from reproduction.

Congenital abnormalities of the cervix in mares

“…1998; Payan‐Carreira and Quaresma 2008). Two cases of cervical hypoplasia and persistent hymen were reported in 1966 and there was a report of cervical hypoplasia in 2 Portugese donkey jennets (Asinina de Miranda) (Payan‐Carreira and Quaresma 2008). The jennets had normal sized, active ovaries.…”

“…The jennets had normal sized, active ovaries. The population of these donkeys had a narrow genetic basis (Payan‐Carreira and Quaresma 2008).…”

Incompetent cervix and pneumouterus in a maiden mare

“…In the literature, only a few cases of cervical hypoplasia in equids have been described (Allen 1981; Blanchard et al . 1982; Payan‐Carreira and Quaresma 2008). The inability of the cervix to close properly is more commonly due to lacerations that occur during parturition (Brown et al .…”

“…It is well known that even moderate hypoplasia may cause a functional incompetence of the cervix and supports uterine contamination. This might lead to chronic endometritis and fertility problems in affected animals (Payan‐Carreira and Quaresma 2008). As there was no alteration of the cervical shape a surgical intervention was refused.…”

“…1984). In most instances, however, cervical hypoplasia remains undetected until a complete gynaecological examination has been performed during routine breeding examination or due to unsuccessful breeding attempts (Payan‐Carreira and Quaresma 2008).…”