Probable hamartoma in a Holstein neonate.

Keywords: ovary, bovine, neonate, cyst, mucus

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A female Holstein calf was submitted by RDVM having died approximately one day after it had been born. Signs of acute septicemia at post mortem examination suggested that septicemia as the cause of death. The calf weighed 46 kg

The reproductive tract was particularly interesting: The right ovary had been replaced by a large cyst weighing approximately 287g. This suggested that the cyst contained approximately 280 mL of fluid. This fluid was yellow and transparent, foaming on aspiration suggestion some content of protein. During dissection, the cyst was found to contain two smaller cysts, one of which was lined by hemorrhagic tissue approximately 1 mm thick.

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The entire ovary was retained for histological examination. Histology was examined at the sites marked Cyst 1 and Cyst 2 above. Clicking on the links Cyst 1 and Cyst 3 will open an interactive microscopy system that allows one to examine those samples. This author detected no signs of neoplasia in the wall of the cyst but occasional foci of round cell infiltrations were seen, indicating chronic inflammation due perhaps to tissue necrosis. In the opinion of Dr Donald Schlafer DVM. PhD, ACT, ABVP, this structure is probably a hamartoma, not a granulosa cell tumor. However, a definitive diagnosis was not possible without additional tissue (unavailable). A hamartoma is a focal malformation that resembles a neoplasm. It is however not a tumor, growing at the same rate as the surrounding tissue. It is essentially a disorganized mass of tissue elements normally found in that organ.

On gross examination, the left ovary appeared to be inactive. The ovary and the tip of the uterus adjacent to the ovary was retained for histology. The histology of those samples can be seen by clicking here. The ovary showed frequent nests of the stromal cells that usually surround primary and secondary follicle development. However, using the histology of ovaries of one and three month old calves as reference points, these nest appeared to be more dominant than expected and oocytes were not as frequently seen as expected. In the opinion of Dr Schlafer, this ovary appeared dysplastic, concurring with the author's opinion.

The structure of the caruncles, devoid of glandular development is easy to appreciate. In the cross section of the tip of the horn, the caruncles bulge into the lumen of the uterus. In the inter-caruncular areas, sections of rudimentary glands are visible.

The rest reproductive tract appeared to be normal other than a large accumulation of gelatinous mucus in the vagina cranial to the area of the hymen. There was no persistent hymen i.e. the vaginal lumen was continuous from the vulvar lips to the cervix, yet the mucus was thick enough to be localized to the anterior vagina.

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The caruncles appeared to be particularly well-developed, more so than normal, as did the clitoris. With an absence of follicle activity in the non-cystic ovary (an otherwise potential source of steroids) the collection of mucus in the cranial vagina and development of the caruncles and clitoris suggested that the cyst may have been endocrinologically active. Steroid assay of its fluid content is pending.
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Cervical mucus in a cow

Keywords: mucus, estrus, cervix, bovine, cow, detection, Spinnbarkheit, sodium chloride, NaCl, conductivity

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Mucus accumulation around the cervix of a cow during estrus. This mucus is being produced by the cervical glands around the external cervical os. Apart from its physiological value of lubricating the tract, its presence is a valuable management tool because it is discharged at the time of estrus in cows, facilitating estrus detection. 

The elasticity of the mucus is obvious in this image. The stretchiness of this mucus is sometimes referred to as Spinnbarkheit from the German word for "ability to spin (into thread) because it becomes thread-like when it is most able to stretch. In humans, this phenomenon is sometimes used to determine the optimal time for artificial insemination.

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Also, vaginal mucus from a cow in estrus, stretched between two glass slides:

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The concentration of salt (sodium chloride) increases during estrus therefore the ability of cervical mucus to conduct electricity also increases at that time. Instruments that measure conductivity of cervical mucus are available to assist one in determining the stage of the estrous cycle.

Estrous mucus discharge in a cow

Keywords: mucus, bovine, estrus, detection, management, dairy, insemination, salt, ferning, crystals

A clear mucous discharge seen at the time of estrus in a cow; an important part of estrous detection in dairy cattle. In some cases, this clear mucous secretion may accumulate in the cranial vagina and be discharged some days after estrus. This mucus contains substantial amounts of sodium chloride (salt). When it is smeared and the salt dries on a glass slide, it generates a so-called "ferning" pattern as seen below.

This mucus is generated by the cervical glands. Therefore, in the case of a persistent hymen, a vaginal mucous discharge is never seen. The mucus accumulates cranial to the hymen where it becomes stained black in color because of metestral hemorrhagic discharges. 

Cervical mucus on the tail of a cow

Keywords: estrus, mucus, management, bovine, dairy, detection

Dried cervical mucus on the tail of a cow. Sometimes this may be the only evidence of a mucus discharge in a cow. In some cattle it is very difficult to detect standing estrus; every possible cue must be taken into account. These include increased activity, decreased milk production, increased vocalizing, mucus discharges from the vulvar lips and after estrus, hemorrhagic metestral discharges.