TDK conference 2010

Irregular ovarian phenomena (IOP) are often found during rectal ultrasound examinations of dairy cows,. Improvement of the diagnostic tools (such as imaging techniques) in the last decades provided the opportunity to ensure more precise definition of IOP’s morphology. Literature data on formation and accurate morphology of IOP’s are sometimes controversial and the nomenclature is not standardized yet. Our main goal was preparing precise description of ultrasonic, macroscopic and microscopic morphologic and endocrine characteristic of some IOP’s (anovulatory follicle, follicle-lutein cyst, corpus luteum with cavity). Ultrasonic, macroscopic and microscopic morphology and the hormone production of ovarian phenomena (3 corpora lutea with cavity, 2 follicle luteal cysts and 4 anovulatory follicles) were compared. Ultrasonic appearance of corpus luteum with cavity is similar to normal corpus luteum but with smaller or bigger fluid-filled central cavity. The follicle-lutein cysts have thick wall and their diameter is over 2 cm. Anovulatory follicles also have thick wall but their diameter is less than 2 cm. A well-marked macroscopic difference occurs between the anovulatory follicles and follicle-lutein cysts due to the presence or absence of luteinized tissue (according to their different colors). Some layers of non luteinized granulose cells with active hormone secretion in anovulatory follicles are typical examining by microscope. In follicle-lutein cysts luteinized patches are appeared as pillow like protrusions. Active hormone secretion of granulosa and luteinized cells were also confirmed. Corpus luteum with cavity had a distinct, noticeable connective tissue layer around the cavity. This appears as a bright white line on the ultrasonic image and under this layer normal active luteal cells with normal secretion were found. High mean (P4) progesterone (524 nmol/l), while moderate mean estrogen (E2) concentrations were measured in the central cavity’s fluid of corpora lutea with cavity.

In follicle-lutein cysts mean progesterone concentration was 301.3 nmol/l, and mean estrogen concentration was 748 pg/ml of the fluid content, while in anovulatory follicles 39,3 nmol/l mean progesterone and 759 pg/ml mean estrogen concentrations were measured.

Based on the ultrasonic and/or macroscopic appearance of IOP’s, they may differentiate, but precise development, and the nomenclature are not clear yet. In accordance with the literature active progesterone and estrogen secretion were detected in anovulatory follicles and follicle-lutein cysts produced by granulose and luteal cells. Due to the high estrogen production of anovulatory follicles and follicle-lutein cysts cows show several times signs of heating, what lead to pointless inseminations. Obviously dominance of progesterone secretion was found in corpus luteum with cavity. Due to progesterone production maintaining pregnancy should possible in presence of corpus luteum with cavity but clinical data show more often embryonic loss in association of this phenomena than normal corpus luteum..