Infertility In Queens: Clinical approach, experiences and challenges

Abstract

Clinical challenges: It is not easy for a veterinarian to determine the cause of infertility in a queen. The simplest method is to start by investigating the most common causes and then progress by successive elimination to the less common causes. For example, mating problems are commonly responsible for reproductive failure, and owners should be particularly vigilant in checking that the mating is progressing satisfactorily. Frequently, a veterinarian may have to determine, among other things, if there is a uterine or hormonal disorder or if an infectious pathology may be involved. In the case of a queen that is not cycling, it is important to differentiate a lack of onset of puberty in a young queen from a lack of cyclicity in an adult queen. Aim: This review sets out a practical, step-by-step approach that veterinarians can follow, starting with the most common causes of infertility in queens and moving towards more rare or specific causes. Equipment and technical skills: Simple techniques such as vaginal smears are essential to determine if a queen that is ready to be mated is in full oestrus, if a queen is cycling or not and to diagnose inflammation of the genital tract. Veterinarians should be familiar with the peculiarities of the swabbing technique in cats, as well as the interpretation of feline vaginal cytology. Progesterone assays are useful on many occasions in the diagnosis pathway. A laboratory capable of performing karyotypes should ideally be available. Finally, it is important to be able to perform an ultrasound examination of the ovaries and uterus in a queen. Evidence base: Although it appears that infertility is a problem among purebred queens, there is a lack of knowledge in this area and too few published studies. Some causes of feline infertility remain poorly investigated.

Scientific and technical assistance on welfare aspects related to housing and health of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments

“…Normal queen fertility needs ovulation of normal ova into a patent, healthy reproductive tract, mating at an ideal time during heat and pregnancy maintenance for 2 months (Fontbonne, 2022 ).…”

“…When determining the timing for the next mating, previous litter size, body condition and the health status of the reproduction systems must also be checked (Goericke‐Pesch and Packeiser, 2022 ). In a review by Fontbonne ( 2022 ), it is recommended that before deciding whether a queen should be mated again a thorough examination should be performed by examining the vaginal discharge. The technique indeed helps in identifying whether the queen is cycling or not, and if there is an inflammation of the reproductive tract.…”

Infertility In Toms: Clinical approach, experiences and challenges

“…infertility in the queen is the focus of an accompanying review in this series. 7 Is infertility primary or acquired? Second, an important aspect when dealing with male reproductive problems is to determine whether infertility is primary (an adult tom that has never sired offspring despite several attempts) or secondary (loss of fertility in a previously fertile tom).…”

Artificial Insemination in Queens in the Clinical Practice Setting: Protocols and challenges

“…8 In the queen, examination of the reproductive tract should include inspection of the vulva and transabdominal palpation of the uterus to rule of the presence of abnormal uterine enlargement. Uterine condition and ovarian morphology can be evaluated using two-dimensional ultrasonography (see accompanying review on infertility in queens 9 ), although this technique does not provide information about organ function, such as vascular perfusion. 10…”

“…8 in the queen, examination of the reproductive tract should include inspection of the vulva and trans abdominal palpation of the uterus to rule of the presence of abnormal uterine enlargement. Uterine condition and ovarian morphology can be evaluated using two-dimensional ultrasonography (see accompanying review on infertility in queens 9 ), although this technique does not provide information about organ function, such as vascular perfusion. 10 A thorough reproductive examination in the tom should consist of manual palpation of the testicles, assessing for position, size, texture and symmetry, followed by ultrasound examination to assess any irregularities within the testicular parenchyma.…”