African Journal of Biomedical Research Ibadan Biomedical Communications Group ISSN: 1119-5096 Vol. 3, Num. 3, 2000, pp. 201-202

African Journal of Biomedical Research, Vol. 3, No. 3, 2000, pp. 201-202

Case Report

AJALA, O.O[1]; OYEYEMI, M.O; AND ADEROJU, O.A.

Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
[1] Author for correspondence

Code Number: md00057

A case report of true double cervix in a five-year-old white Fulani cow is presented. The condition is known to cause infertility which might be the reason why the cow was brought to the slaughterhouse at this critical age.

Keywords: Double cervix, cow

Double external os of the cervix is a developmental abnormality that is occasionally observed (Robertson, et al., 1996). It is due to failure of the Mullerian ducts to fuse. It may be present as a bond of tissue caudal to or in the external os of the cervix. In other cases there is a true double external os opening into a simple caudal part of the cervical canal (Roberts, 1971). There can also be a true double cervix with a complete septum between the two cervical canals; each opening into its respective uterine horn (Aiello, 1998). Spriggs (1946) observed and stated that this condition is more common in some breeds of cattle like the Friesian, Herefords, Guernsey and Holstein. Van Loen (1961) stated that this condition is hereditary and the condition was associated with in-breeding and characterized within a closed breeding herd (Robertson et al., 1996).

This case was seen at the Bodija abattoir Ibadan, Nigeria during a post mortem examination of a five-year-old white Fulani cow. The uterine body was connected to the vagina by two separate cervical canals (see fig 1), which open into a single vaginal outlet. Other segments of the tubular organs were normal on gross examination, but the right ovary was cystic (fig 1). 

DISSCUSSION:

Double cervix is rare (Roberts, 1971) but when present can cause infertility (Robertson et al., 1996). It can also cause dystocia due to the foetal limbs entering each cervical canal, by this complication the foetus can only be delivered by caesarian section. The expulsion of the placenta can also be impeded by this structural aberration, which can cause post parturient infection. This condition can also lead to infertility where artificial insemination is practiced and the semen is deposited opposite to the functional or ovulated ovary. The affected animal thus shows repeat breeding (Roberts, 1971).

In some cases where the abnormality is not complicated such as a medial band in the caudal part of the cervix it may be removed by surgery. If the band is large and extended deep into the cervical canal it is allowed to remain since it seldom interfere with conception and parturition.

REFERENCES

• Aiello S.E, (1998): Congenital and Inherited Anomalies of the reproductive system. The  Merck Veterinary manual 8^th ed. Merck and Co Inc. Whitehouse Station, N.J U.S.A pp 988.
• Roberts, S.J (1971): Infertility the cow: Veterinary Obstetrics and Genital diseases. IthacaNew York 2^nd Edition, 464-465.
• Robertson, L; Ng.I.H; Bonniwell, M; Ferguson, D.; Harvey, M.J.A (1996): Developmental abnormalities of the reproductive tract associated with infertility in highland Heifers. Veterinary Records 138,396-397.
• Spriggs, D.N (1946): Double external os in cattle. Veterinary Records. 37, 101-142.
• Van Loen A. (1961): A contribution to the knowledge of double cervix condition in Bovine cattle. Thesis, Univ. of Utrecht Scheltema and Holkema Amsterdam. 
• Zemjanis, R. (1970). Cervix Duplex or Double Cervix, In Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques in Animal Reproduction. 2^nd Ed. The Williams and Wilkins Company Baltimore. pp. 51.