DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 225 



A distinction should be made between temporary sterility and 

 permanent sterility. The first is amenable to remedial treatment, 

 while the latter renders the stallion worthless as a sire. A micro- 

 scopic examination of the semen will show whether the sperm 

 cells are active and capable of progressing toward the ovum, which 

 is usually fertilized in the fallopian tube. 



Prevention is of great importance in handling cases of sterility. 

 Proper feed, exercise, and care in arranging the number and times 

 of service will do much toward eliminating sterility, besides the 

 staUion begets better foals and retains his prepotency for a longer 

 period. 



Barrenness is the term properly applied to sterility in the 

 mare. The causes are even more numerous than in the case of the 

 male animal. The ovaries are frequently at fault. They may 

 have failed to develop their function, and no ova, or only immature 

 ones, are produced; cystic tumors and inflammation changes 

 from any cause may be present and interfere with their normal 

 activities. Advanced age, overfatness from close confinement and 

 lack of exercise, or poor condition may so alter the sexual organs 

 that the animal does not come in heat and will show no desire to 

 mate. Infection following parturition and injuries received when 

 the mare foals must also be considered when looking for the exact 

 cause of barrenness. 



The treatment for barrenness is precluded in this discussion 

 on account of the great variety of causes, for each of which there 

 must be prescribed treatment to meet the special condition. Arti- 

 ficial insemination (g. v.) has been used with success in cases where 

 it was impossible to locate a particular cause. 



It is commonly believed that certain drugs to stimulate sexual 

 activity aid in remedying these diseases. Experience has failed 

 to substantiate this belief. However, we do know that good feed 

 and plenty of exercise are stimulants that have no equal. 



In those cases where the mare is in heat almost continuously 

 (nymphomania), but fails to conceive even after repeated service, 

 relief may be had by spaying her, or the simpler operation of 

 removing the clitoris. 



DIFFICULT PARTURITION 

 Dystocia is the technical term for difficult labor. It may be 

 due either to some defect on the part of the mother, as a deformity 



15 



