title: Permanent Lateral Deviation and Stenosis of the Cervix in an Infertile Jennet.
abstract: Congenital abnormalities of the uterus and the cervix are rare in horses, often associated with infertility, despite normal ovarian activity and sexual behaviour. An abnormality of the cervix in a 5-year-old jennet with a history of infertility was described. Clinical and ultrasound examination of the genital tract showed a normal development of the uterus with regular cyclic activity in both the ovaries. Vaginoscopy revealed a normal development of the vagina and a cervix deviated on the left side of the vagina by a thick dorsoventral fold. The lateral deviation was permanent in any stage of oestrus cycle. Furthermore, the cervical os was narrow and digital penetration was not realizable. Using a 5-mm catheter, the full penetration was not possible even during oestrus; moreover, the inoculation of fluid could be revealed in uterus by ultrasound (fluid was not present before inoculation), demonstrating a minimal patency. An abnormal and permanent lateral displacement of a stenotic cervix was suspected as the primary cause of infertility in the jennet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quartuccio
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mannarino
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cristarella
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging