Leucosis in a bovine uterus
Keywords: leucosis, bovine, neoplasia, uterus, infertility
Enzootic bovine leukosis is a result of infection by bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Interestingly, less than 1% of all the cattle infected with this virus actually develop lymphoid sarcomas. It is characterized by the development of tumors of lymphatic tissues but tumors can be found throughout the body; in this case, the uterus. Although substantial numbers of nodules and diffuse thickening due to leucosis can be found in the uterus, severely affected genital tracts are occasionally found to be pregnant.
Management procedures that transmit blood have the potential to transmit BLV i.e. injections, surgery, tattooing, dehorning etc. It is not clear if biting flies are able to transmit this disease. Although rectal examinations were once incriminated in the spread of BLV, research suggests that under normal conditions this does not occur.
