Evaluation and Insemination Options for the Subfertile Queen

Abstract
Causes of infertility in the queen are often multifactorial. Cattery management should be addressed prior to evaluation of individual animals. Factors such as housing/lighting, preventive care, and retroviral disease status of the colony should be evaluated. A complete physical examination is vital to rule in or out anatomical abnormalities leading to infertility. Transabdominal ultrasound is a useful tool for noninvasive evaluation of the reproductive tract, and vaginal cytology combined with hormone assay and behavior can be used to stage the estrous cycle. In queens with good breeding management, cystic endometrial hyperplasia is a common cause of infertility and is a major predisposing factor for pyometra. Recent research has demonstrated continued advances in assisted reproductive techniques in felids, including several options for the use of frozen semen. […]