FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAT INFERTILITY
Abstract
Unjustified and uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs in animal husbandry can lead to the occurrence of diseases and disruption of the reproductive function of the body. There is a trend of early sterilization of kittens to avoid further reproduction. Research was conducted at the Clinical and Diagnostic Consultative Center (CDC) of the Sumy National Agrarian University "Vet camp" of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine during 2022. To monitor obstetric and gynecological diseases of cats, we used information obtained during the treatment of animals whose owners sought veterinary assistance at the Veterinary Center of the Sumy National Agrarian University "Vet camp". The clinical condition of the animals was evaluated, body temperature was determined, palpation, ultrasound, and blood analysis were performed. Vaginal discharge, its consistency, amount, color and smell were studied. During an ovariohysterectomy, the uterus and ovaries were removed. Their size and the presence of pathological changes were evaluated. Antibody testing was performed by immunofluorescence (IF). Immunofluorescent antibody titers of 20 or more were considered seropositive (SP), and titers of 10 or less were considered seronegative (SN). The cats were tested once, not consecutively throughout their stay at the shelter. In some cases, cats were also tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies, and Toxoplasmosa gondii antibodies. Examinations of cats of different ages and breeds showed that endometritis accounted for 21%, ovarian cysts – 19%, vulvovaginitis and myometrial hyperplasia – 14%, metritis – 13%, consanguineous reproduction and pyometra – 7%, pyosalpingitis – 3% and uterine tumors – 2%. The results of the study prove that the infertility of cats is associated with the pathology of the reproductive organs. Infectious pathology is Chlamydophila felis – 22.4%, Toxoplasmosa gondii – 12.3%, feline coronavirus – 10.0%, feline immunodeficiency virus – 11.2% and feline leukemia – 8.5%. Therefore, for the successful fertilization of females, it is necessary to exclude infectious pathology and damage to the reproductive organs of the female, to determine the hormonal background. It is also necessary to limit the use of hormonal contraceptives to healthy cats of reproductive age.The perspective of further research in this direction is the influence of the hormonal background of females on reproductive capacity.
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