Causes and Treatments of Infertility in the Bitch
In the event that a bitch cannot successfully produce a litter, it is common practice for the fertility of the animal to be evaluated. The female reproductive tract is not easily accessible in the bitch, making it difficult for a practitioner to gain useful diagnostic information. Palpation and ultrasonography require a disease to be strongly present or an extremely experienced examiner. Samples for uterine cytology and biopsy also require a high level of expertise and are also much more invasive, sometimes requiring anesthesia and surgery. Due to the infrequency of the canine reproductive cycle, it is much more complicated to make a timely diagnosis.
When evaluating a bitch who is suspected…show more content… This can be done by introducing the bitch to other bitches in estrus and testing for progesterone levels. It should be noted that there is no pharmaceutical “quick fix” to induce a heat cycle in canines. Induction of estrus is only recommended as a final effort to get the bitch to cycle, and practitioners should follow strict protocol when manipulating the cycle of the bitch. Stress has been suspected to play a role in affecting fertility and offsetting normal cyclicity of the bitch. This is most commonly seen in lean bodied canine athletes where glucocorticoids suppress the release of gonadotropins, primarily LH, which is required for ovulation. If stress-related anestrus is suspected, it is recommended that the bitch cease training to promote a less stressful environment until an estrous cycle is detected. Unfortunately, stress-related anestrus is not well documented and needs further research support. Congenital causes are rare, but do occur and affect the fertility of a bitch. These conditions include ovarian aplasia and intersex conditions, where the animal is physiologically incapable of having an estrous cycle. Surgery and noninvasive methods such as karyotyping can be used to diagnose the…show more content… Diagnosis of luteal cysts through ultrasonography is possible, but they are often difficult to distinguish from normal corpus lutea. The best method for diagnosing luteal cysts are by documenting abnormal elevation in progesterone. Metabolic disorders are less common, but can have significant effects on the reproductive cycle. Hypothyroidism may be the cause and it is recommended that a complete thyroid panel be conducted. Unfortunately, it is unclear as to how hypothyroidism causes secondary anestrus and how it specifically affects fertility. In conclusion, there are many factors that need to be suspected when it comes to infertility in the bitch. This is because there are numerous aspects that can affect and play a role on the female reproductive cycle. It is always recommended to rule out breeding management and medication causes, as they are a common cause of suspected infertility, but often overlooked. Usually, these causes are also easily adjusted, and the bitch will return to a normal cycle. Once these causes are ruled out, hormonal levels and the reproductive tract should be examined, as there may be a blockage or pathology present. Depending on what is diagnosed, various treatment methods are available to attempt at increasing the fertility of the
