(ESTRUM AND CONCEPTION b 



The egg, having left the ovary and resting in the oviduct, 

 on coming in contact with the spermatozoa may now become 

 fecundated to undergo various changes. In most cases fecund- 

 ation takes place in the pavilion, rarely in the ovary, to be 

 discussed later under " Extra Uterine Pregnancy." Numerous 

 conditions may interfere with impregnation, and sterility 

 occurs. Conception, for instance, may be prevented when the 

 semen does not meet the ovum ; other causes may interfere 

 with coition. 



Retention Cyst of the Vulvo- Vaginal Glands (the glands of 

 Bartholin). — This cyst, of potato to fist size, is situated on 

 the lateral vaginal wall near the labise, and filled with a 

 thick, slimy, brownish fluid containing blackish lumps. This 

 obstacle is easily obliterated by incising the cyst wall, after- 

 treatment not being necessary. 



Tumors in the vagina interfere with coition. They are 

 usually pedunculated leiomymomata, frequently located at the 

 inferior vaginal wall of the vaginal portion of the uterus. 



Adhesions of the vaginal walls, resulting from an injury to 

 the mucosa of the genital canal, caused by too frequent service 

 of the heifer. — Vogt described this affection first in 1878; later 

 Harms, in his work on obstetrics. Lately this traumatic 

 colpitis has been observed by many veterinarians. By it 

 we understand lesion of the mucous membrane and deeper 

 layers of the vagina, the result of coition, leading to pus- 

 formation, adhesions, or even septicaemia. This traumatism 

 is mainly seen in heifers running with young bulls. After 

 they become impregnated, heat occasionally returns, because 

 the fecundated egg succumbs. As a result of repeated coition- 

 a vaginitis sets in. The patient stands about with arched 

 back, the vulva is cedematous, they strain continuously. A 

 bloody, slimy, or purulent fluid flows from the vulva ; appetite 

 and rumination are more or less decreased. The temperature 

 is now normal and then elevated. Unless such animals are 

 treated, emaciation takes place shortly, and local examination 

 three to four weeks later reveals adhesions of the walls of the 

 vagina, and posteriorly to it a thin fluid manifested by fluctua- 



