Permanent Lateral Deviation and Stenosis of the Cervix in an Infertile Jennet.

The research discusses a rare case of a 5-year-old female donkey (jennet) with an unusually positioned and narrow cervix, resulting in infertility despite normal sexual behavior and ovary activity.

Objective of the Research

• The primary objective of the study was to investigate and describe the abnormality in the cervix of the infertile jennet and uncover how it affects fertility.

Evidence of Abnormality

• On examining the jennet, the researchers found that the development of its uterus seemed normal with regular cyclic activity in both its ovaries.
• Vaginoscopy, a diagnostic procedure to visualize the interior of the vagina, revealed normal development as well. However, a thick dorsoventral fold permanently deviated the cervix to the left side of the vagina.
• This abnormal lateral deviation of the cervix was found to persist throughout all stages of the estrus cycle, the period during which the jennet is sexually receptive and fertile.
• Additionally, the cervical opening was narrow and didn’t allow for digital penetration. Even when a small (5-mm) catheter was used for insertion, full penetration could not be achieved, even during estrus.

Effects on Fertility

• The researchers introduced a fluid into the cervix to check if it reaches the uterus. Upon conducting an ultrasound, they detected a slight passage as the fluid appeared in the uterus where it wasn’t present before.
• Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the cervix’s abnormal and permanent lateral displacement and stenosis (narrowing), likely resulted in the jennet’s infertility.

Conclusion

• The precise cause of such a rare cervical abnormality is not discussed in the abstract, nor the potential treatments or prognoses for the condition.
• Nevertheless, the research provides invaluable information about a previously understudied cause of infertility in equines and directs future research towards the investigation of similar cases and potential solutions.