Laparoscopy in Animal Reproduction
Richa Chourasia
PhD Scholar, College of Veterinary and Animal Sceinces, RAJUVAS, Bikaner
Corresponding author: chourasiaricha.27@gmail.com
Laparoscope is derived from ancient Greek word laparo, meaning ‘flank, side’, and scope, meaning ‘to see’. Laparoscope can be defined as an instrument through which structures within the abdomen and pelvis can be seen or a fibre optic device that consists of a flexible tube. Fibre optic scope is used to directly visualize the internal anatomy of a hollow organ. The laparoscope aids diagnosis or therapeutic interventions with a few centimetre cuts in the abdomen. History of laparoscopy can be traced back to 1901 when Kelling firstly examined the abdominal cavity of a dog with a cystoscope inserted via a small cutaneous incision. In humans, first exploratory laparoscopy was performed by Jacobeus in 1910.
Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive and minimally traumatic in animals. It allows the animal to return rapidly to function and production. It is used to examine the interior of the abdominal or pelvic cavities for the diagnosis or treatment (or both) of number of diseases and conditions. The equipment required for laparoscopy consists of a laparoscope, light source, insufflators and video imaging capabilities. Laparoscopes are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 2.7 mm to 10 mm and angles ranging from 0 to 70 degrees. The angled telescopes give the ability to see around corners, especially when working in a compact area. It is common in Veterinary Medicine to use a 10 mm scope with a 30 degree angle. Light is transmitted to the telescope via fibre optic cable from a remote light source. Xenon (300 watt) and halogen (150 watt) are the most commonly used light sources. The magnification of the telescope and light source allows the surgeon to see details and pathology not observable to the naked eye.
The use of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy has increased tremendously during the last 10 years. Laparoscopy is occasionally used to evaluate the reproductive tract, because the ovaries and uterus are easily seen in most patients. Ovarian activity (e.g., presence, number, and stage of follicles), uterine size, and evidence of gross pathologic findings can be detected. Laparoscopy can be a simple method of transuterine artificial insemination when the transcervical route cannot be accomplished. In the male dog, the prostate is easily seen via laparoscopy and guided biopsy can easily be performed.
Artificial insemination procedure in Ovines (ewes):
The ideal technique for AI in any species is the intrauterine deposition of sperm (intrauterine transcervical insemination). Indeed, this technique renders higher fertility results than when semen is placed in the vagina or the distal region of the cervix. Deep levels of penetration in uterus in ewes (synchronized oestrus) are necessary to obtain acceptable conception rates with cryopreserved semen. Laparoscopy yields good results, as it places the seminal dose within the uterine horns, but it is less practical than the transcervical AI. The anatomical structure of the ovine cervix effectively prevents intrauterine deposition of semen with routine methods, based on the use of straight catheters. The cervix is a highly complex fibrous structure, with many folds obliterating the lumen from the vagina to the uterus which affects the AI catheter penetration.
Ovine insemination by laparoscopy is the only methodology that ensures intrauterine application of semen without reduction in fertility rates. Thawed semen is always applied by laparoscopy in all AI commercial programmes in ram. Laparoscopy has multiple advantages such as high fertility results: 50–80% pregnant ewes, low number of spermatozoa per dose, 20–50×106 sperm/dose, compared with cervical insemination, wide time margin for insemination compared with cervical insemination, 48/72 hours after sponge removal and less dependence on extrinsic factors with regard to cervical insemination.
Moreover, laparoscopy allows ovary observation, thus the insemination of the ipsilateral ovary is facilitated (fewer spermatozoa are needed). Laparoscopy can also be simultaneously used to diagnose the reproductive tract, thus allowing those ewes with reproductive problems (under developed or malformed genitalia; ovarian or uterine adhesions, ovarian pathologies, lack of response to oestrus induction, early gestations, etc.) to be removed from the insemination lot. These problems would go unnoticed when performing vaginal–cervical insemination consequently impairing fertility results.
Laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) followed by in vitro embryo production in goats
In vitro production of embryos using immature oocytes recovered by laparoscopy has the potential to overcome some of the problems associated with standard MOET techniques. The procedure can be repeated more times since it is less traumatic than standard surgical methods used to recover uterine stage embryos. Moreover, this approach obviates several causes of the poor results observed with superovulation, such as poor ovulation rate, early regression of corpora lutea and poor fertilization. Reliability and reproducibility also are significantly better: while individual variation in the response to gonadotropin treatment remains, LOPU almost always results in >5 oocytes aspirated per donor. Additionally, the system allows the production of offspring from animals that would not be able to reproduce using AI or MOET, such as prepubertal animals.
LOPU provides a good yield of oocytes for the production of zygotes for DNA microinjection (transgenic founder generation) or for recipient cytoplasts in nuclear transfer programs. In order to recover high numbers of oocytes per LOPU session, the donor goats are heat synchronized and stimulated with gonadotrophins.
An application of LOPU-IVP technology with great commercial interest is the propagation of genetically valuable goats at prepubertal ages, often referred to as JIVET (juvenile in vitro embryo technology). Prepubertal goats can produce nearly twice as many oocytes per LOPU session, on average, as adult goats. The application of this technology to kids of >100 days age results in the birth of their progeny at about the same time that the donor animals reach the age and stage of development for normal breeding, thus reducing the generation interval. JIVET might be the most efficient application of LOPU-IVP technology since it has the potential to accelerate genetic progress by allowing the production of a large number of offspring from valuable animals, as well as shortening the generation interval.
Laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing cows:
There are numerous indications for bilateral ovariectomy in cattle. Ovariectomized cattle are required for various studies in reproductive researches. Additionally, in regions with extensive pasturing of cattle, bilateral ovariectomy of animals destined for slaughter allows both sexes to be kept together. A variety of methods for ovariectomy in cattle has been described. Most of them use a transvaginal approach to the ovaries. For surgical ovariectomy via colpotomy, the surgeon introduces a hand into the cow’s vagina and perforates the vaginal fornix, and the ovaries are removed with an effeminator or ecraseur. The Kimberly-Rupp® or Willis spay instrument is used to spay heifers, in which manual perforation of the vagina is not feasible. These instruments serve to perforate the vaginal fornix as well as to remove the ovaries. Ovariectomy via a flank or ventral abdominal approach has also been described in heifers, in which the vagina is too narrow for colpotomy, and in cows with large ovarian tumours and adhesions involving the ovary.
Left flank approach for laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy is beneficial as the left side allowed better access to and visibility of the ovaries and uterus and reduced risk of organ trauma. A right-flank approach posed technical difficulties because of the greater omentum.
Serious complications including life-threatening hemorrhage of the ovarian pedicle and peritonitis are common after colpotomy. When ovariectomy is carried out via colpotomy, hemorrhage can be fatal because it occurs unnoticed. During laparotomy or laparoscopy, ovariectomy is performed under visual control, which reduces the risk of complications. The small incisions resulting from laparoscopy are unlikely to interfere with the wellbeing of the animal and facilitate its immediate reintroduction into the herd after the operation. Furthermore, because of the small size of the incisions, laparoscopy can be recommended the method of choice for removing small tumorous ovaries in show cattle.
Laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in Canines:
Laparoscopic techniques are becoming widely accepted because of reported advantages, including significant decrease in postoperative pain/morbidity and faster recovery.
Laparoscopic cryptorchid testicle removal:
Cryptorchidism is the most common congenital defect of the testes in dogs with a reported prevalence as high as 10% of adult dogs. Cryptorchidism is considered to be a sex-linked autosomal recessive trait. Most commonly cryptorchidism is a unilateral condition with the right testicle being most frequently retained. It can be easily removed via laparoscopic technique.
Diagnosis of gross reproductive abnormalities in Cattles:
Laparoscopy provided confirmation to many conditions suspected by ultrasound especially oviductal and adnexal abnormalities which are difficult to be accurately delineated either manually or by ultrasound examination. Laparoscopic chromo pertubation using methylene blue dye standardized for evaluation of tubal patency in bovines was found to be a safe and innocuous procedure.
Laparoscopy helps in diagnosis of ovarobursal adhesion, cystic ovaries, ovarian abscess, perioophoritis, hydrosalpinx, oviductal adhesion, parovarian cyst, tubo ovarian abscess, uterine adhesion, abnormal nodules and uterine cysts.
Perioophoritis and ovarian abscess can be easily diagnosed by the laparoscopy where as it can be missed by the ultrasound examination or rectal examination.
Laparoscopic application of PGE2 to re-establish oviducal patency and fertility in infertile mares:
In equine stud farm veterinary clinicians to identify occasional mares that persistently fail to conceive despite being inseminated, naturally or artificially, at the appropriate stage of oestrus and follicular development by a stallion of known high fertility. These animals show apparently normal function of the cervix, uterus and ovaries, appear to ovulate normally when expected to do so and show normal luteal development and function after ovulation. They also show no evidence of either infective endometritis or chronic degenerative endometritis that might interfere with conception or the transuterine migration and nidation of a young embryo.
There is some unseen physical obstruction that prevents either the oocyte from reaching the site of fertilisation at the ampullaryisthmic junction of the oviduct, or the onward oviducal passage of the resulting zygote and young embryo into the uterus, are two possible causes of the otherwise inexplicable infertility exhibited by these mares.
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is thought to promote isthmic transport of the ovum and embryo by relaxing the associated circular smooth muscle fibres. A major advance in understanding oviductal function in the mare was achieved when it was demonstrated that on Day 5 equine embryos secrete significant quantities of PGE2 and this hormone binds strongly to the oviductal musculature which hastens embryonic transport through the oviductal.
The application of a few drops of a PGE2-laced cervical gel onto the surface of the ipsilateral oviduct of inseminated mares on Day 4 after ovulation has been reported to hastened entry of the compact morula-stage embryo into the uterus by 24 hours.
Endoscopic Transcervical Insemination in canines
The ability to reach the cervix with a rigid endoscope allows the transcervical catherization and intrauterine insemination of frozen semen.
“New Zealand” Endoscopic Method
The endoscope is introduced into the vagina and advanced through the vaginal folds by observing the direction of the vaginal lumen. In proestrus and early estrus, the rounded vaginal folds can make advancing the endoscope more difficult, because they tend to fill the lumen; as estrus progresses, dehydration of the folds results in a more obvious route for advancement of the endoscope. The caudal tubercle of the dorsal median fold (DMF) is usually a prominent landmark and the lumen can become quite narrow in some bitches at this point, requiring manipulation of the endoscope to the widest space. This may result in the endoscope being pushed to one side of the DMF rather than continuing ventrally under the DMF.
The vaginal portion of the cervix appears as a distinct tubercle, but as the cervical os faces caudoventrally or ventrally, it is usually not immediately obvious. To locate the os, the scope must be advanced under the cervical tubercle; the os is situated in the centre of a rosette of furrows in most bitches, but in some, its position can only be identified by observing serosanguineous fluid flowing from the cervix. The position of the os can seem to change through oestrus with dehydration of the vaginal folds. The catheter is advanced into the cervical os by manipulation of the endoscope and catheter.
Bitches in oestrus exhibiting standing behaviour show excellent tolerance to the technique; sedation has never been found to be necessary for insemination.
Laparoscopy is an endoscopic procedure designed for the surgical procedure, visual examination and biopsy of the peritoneal cavity and its organs. There has been many application of laparoscopy in the animal reproduction wheather its diagnosis, therapeutic or in assisted reproduction techniques (ART). The common application includes sterilization in bites, intrauterine insemination in different species, collection of embryos after MOET, diagnosis of different infertilities issues that are normally remain undiagnosed by conventional methods.
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