BCSE Theriogenology and Veterinary Reproduction 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which congenital defect in male dogs involves failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum by 6 months of age?
- Hypospadia
- Cryptorchidism (Correct answer)
- Phimosis
- Orchitis
Correct answer: Cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism is the failure of testicular descent and is a hereditary condition; affected dogs should not be used for breeding.
Question 2: What is the approximate gestation length of the domestic sow (pig)?
- 114 days (Correct answer)
- 145 days
- 283 days
- 63 days
Correct answer: 114 days
The gestation length of the sow is approximately 114 days, often remembered as 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.
Question 3: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection during which stage of gestation most commonly results in the birth of a persistently infected (PI) calf?
- Days 1–30
- Days 42–125 (Correct answer)
- Days 150–200
- After day 200
Correct answer: Days 42–125
PI calves result from BVDV infection between approximately days 42–125 of gestation, before the fetal immune system develops and can recognize the virus as foreign.
Question 4: In horses, what structure must be manually ruptured or allowed to resolve before Caslick's vulvoplasty repair can be effective for pneumovagina?
- Hymen remnant (Correct answer)
- Cervical seal
- Perineal body defect
- Rectovaginal fistula
Correct answer: Hymen remnant
A persistent hymen can trap air or fluid in the vagina; however, Caslick's procedure specifically closes the dorsal vulvar lips to prevent pneumovagina caused by poor perineal conformation.
Question 5: Which hormone assay is used to diagnose pregnancy in mares after day 60–90 of gestation by detecting placental endocrine secretion?
- Progesterone
- eCG (equine chorionic gonadotropin) (Correct answer)
- Estrone sulfate
- Inhibin
Correct answer: eCG (equine chorionic gonadotropin)
eCG (also called PMSG) is produced by the endometrial cups from approximately day 40 to 130–150 of equine gestation and can confirm pregnancy during that window.
Question 6: In small ruminants, what is the term for the dark, tarry, foul-smelling vaginal discharge that can indicate uterine infection postpartum?
- Lochia
- Lochiometra
- Pyometra (Correct answer)
- Endometritis
Correct answer: Pyometra
Pyometra refers to accumulation of purulent material within the uterus; in small ruminants postpartum, foul-smelling dark discharge with systemic illness indicates this closed or open pyometra.
Question 7: During a breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) in bulls, what minimum percentage of morphologically normal sperm is required for a satisfactory classification?
- 50%
- 60%
- 70% (Correct answer)
- 80%
Correct answer: 70%
The Society for Theriogenology requires ≥70% morphologically normal sperm for a bull to receive a satisfactory BSE classification.
BCSE Theriogenology and Veterinary Reproduction 5
Which congenital defect in male dogs involves failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum by 6 months of age?