FREE DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Large Animal Theriogenology Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 5-year-old multiparous dairy cow presents with a history of a prolonged gestation (300 days for a breed with an average of 280 days) and failure to calve despite signs of impending parturition.
On rectal palpation, the fetus feels large and the cervix is not fully dilated.
Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause for this prolonged gestation and dystocia?

Accepted Answer

Fetal adrenal hypoplasia

Answer

Maternal hypocalcemia

Answer

Fetal anasarca

Answer

Uterine inertia

Question 2

Which of the following is the most reliable method for confirming pregnancy in a mare at 14 days post-ovulation?

Accepted Answer

Transrectal ultrasonography

Answer

External abdominal palpation

Answer

Progesterone assay

Answer

Estrogen assay

Question 3

A 3-year-old nulliparous beef heifer has been observed in estrus several times but has failed to conceive after multiple breedings to a fertile bull. A thorough reproductive exam reveals no obvious anatomical abnormalities or systemic disease. What is the most likely underlying cause of her infertility?

Accepted Answer

Early embryonic death

Answer

Persistent corpus luteum

Answer

Anovulatory cycles

Answer

Ovarian hypoplasia

Question 4

Regarding the management of retained fetal membranes (RFM) in a dairy cow, which approach is generally recommended?

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin administration and watchful waiting

Answer

Manual removal by traction

Answer

Systemic antibiotics only if signs of infection develop

Answer

Intrauterine antibiotic boluses immediately post-calving

Question 5

A producer reports that several of his ewes are consistently returning to estrus approximately 17-18 days after breeding, despite being bred to a ram with confirmed fertility. There are no obvious signs of illness in the ewes. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this reproductive inefficiency?

Accepted Answer

Early embryonic loss

Answer

Luteal insufficiency

Answer

Campylobacteriosis

Answer

Ovarian cysts

Question 6

Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy in the sow after approximately day 12 of gestation?

Accepted Answer

Progesterone from the corpus luteum

Answer

Estrogen from the placenta

Answer

Prostaglandin F2 alpha

Answer

Relaxin from the ovaries