Luteinized follicles. COD in a cow.
Keywords: COD, cystic, ovarian, ovary, luteinization, disease, cow, production, bovine
Several follicles in one ovary show various degrees of luteinization after chronic low-grade LH stimulation. The presence of numerous follicles indicate that there was no deficiency of FSH in this cow. As is usually the case for cows with cystic ovarian disease (COD) this cow would probably not have shown estrus for a prolonged period of time.
It was once believed that these cows would not ovulate while cystic structures such as these persisted in their ovaries. However it has since been shown that estrous cycles may resume with ovulations adjacent to these cystic structures.
COD in dairy cows is usually associated with high levels of milk production; in beef cows is associated with the use of steroid containing growth promoters.
