Elsevier

Theriogenology

Volume 76, Issue 3, August 2011, Pages 492-499
Theriogenology

Research article
Ovarian hydrobursitis in female camels (Camelus dromedarius): Clinical findings, histopathology and fertility after unilateral surgical ablation

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.02.028Get rights and content

Abstract

This study was undertaken to verify the clinical signs, incidence, location, etiology and pathology of ovarian hydrobursitis in infertile female camels and estimate the fertility after unilateral surgical ablation. Genital organs (n = 124) were examined in camels slaughtered at Makkah abattoir during Hajj of 2009. Infertile female camels (n = 142) presented for management to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, were clinically examined and ultrasound-scanned for the diagnosis of genital abnormalities. Twenty eight camels diagnosed with ovarian hydrobursitis were further investigated for the effect of unilateral surgical ablation on breeding outcomes. Surgical ablation was carried on 14 cases (treated group), the remaining 14 cases were followed as controls (control group). Both groups were observed for breeding results: 90 days non-return rate (90d NRR) and calving rate (CR). Removed bursae were sent to the laboratory for histopathological investigation. Results showed that the incidence of ovarian hydrobursitis was 6.5% in slaughtered camels and 33.8% in infertile females. Camels with hydrobursitis were concurrently affected with pyometra, uterine and vaginal adhesions or purulent endometritis. Histopathology reported degeneration and hyperplasia of the lining epithelium, mononuclear cells infiltration, focal aggregation of inflammatory cells, cystic dilatation of multi-acinal structures, tiny hemorrhages, and presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages. The 90d NRR and CR of the surgically-treated cases were 64.3% and 50%, respectively. None of the untreated cases conceived. These results confirmed that ovarian hydrobursitis causes infertility in dromedary female camels and is associated with inflammatory genital conditions and surgical ablation in unilaterally affected animals presents a potential treatment.

Introduction

The ovarian bursa is formed by three structures: the mesosalpinx, mesovarium and the proper ligament of the ovary. In camels, the three ligaments are joined together, completely hiding the ovary [1], [2], [3]. The apex of the ovarian bursa forms a large circular orifice at the base of the ovary. There is no clear demarcation between the ovarian bursa and the fimbria of the fallopian tube; however the former is thinner and less corrugated than the latter (Fig 1A and 1B).

Diseases of the ovarian bursa have been encountered in some animal species. In camels, ovarian hydrobursitis is a serious reproductive problem characterized by fluid accumulation and encapsulation of the ovary, and manifested by reproductive failure [4], [5], [6]. A similar syndrome was reported in koala (Phascolarcots cisereus), where unilateral and bilateral fluid filled cysts were found in the lumbar region due to a dilatation of the ovarian bursa [7], [8]. In cattle, surface adhesion of the ovary to the fimbriae of the fallopian tube has been reported, but rarely as a consequence of infectious oophoritis or salpingitis [9].

Different bacterial isolates have been obtained from the bursal fluids of female camels affected with ovarian hydrobursitis. [4], [6]. Trypanosoma evansi has been serologically detected in few affected cases [6], while Campylobacter and Brucella have been suggested as etiological agents [10]. Chlamydia is a common etiological factor of salpingitis and cystic ovarian bursa in mice and koala [8], [11], [12]. The significance of bacteriological isolates could not be assessed on the ground of identification alone, therefore histopathological examination was recommended. Histopathology is a reliable technique evaluating changes that might occur in the ovarian bursa like inflammation, degeneration and neoplasia.

Until now, surgical intervention is the only approach that might treat cases of ovarian hydrobursitis. In camels, fertility after surgical ablation of the affected bursa has been studied in only one experimental trial [5].

The aim of the current study was to clarify etiology, incidence and histopathological changes associated with ovarian hydrobursitis and effect of unilateral surgical ablation on fertility.

Section snippets

Examination at slaughterhouse

A total of 124 genital tracts of Arabian female camels were examined at Al-Moasiem slaughterhouse in Makkah during Hajj season (November, 2009). All slaughtered females were of local breeds, multiparous and aged from 10 to 15 years. Thin (body condition score ≤ 2, on a 1–5 scale, [13]) and diseased animals were considered unfit for slaughtering. Immediately after slaughtering and hanging of the carcass, the genital tract was examined for the existence of ovarian hydrobursitis, its location

Incidence and clinical findings

Accumulation of different amounts of transparent (n = 1), yellowish (n = 2), brownish (n = 4), or dark (n = 1) fluid was observed within the bursal cavity of the 124 slaughtered animals (6.5%), all of them were unilateral and found in non-pregnant genitalia. In six cases, the bursa was completely closed and encapsulated the ovary, while in the other two cases the bursa was opened. Five involved bursae were located in the left side and three in the right side. One bursa was accompanied with

Discussion

Anatomical feature of the ovarian bursa in female camels predispose for the ovarian hydrobursitis syndrome [1], [16]. The ovary completely hidden within the ovarian bursa, therefore accumulation of fluids due to inflammatory reaction, rupture of the ovarian follicles, or obliteration of the ostium abdominalis of the infundibulum might lead to fluid accumulation within the bursa [5], [6].

Presence of hydrobursitis in many animals in the same herd suggested contribution of a specific infectious

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. E.B. Abdelsalam, and Dr. O. M. Mahmoud, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, for their scientific suggestions.

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