FREEMARTIN

Definition of freemartin was female cow born twin with a bull.

Freemartin cow is fully barren thus unable to undergo a process of reproduction, whereas the twin bulls from cows freemartin have normal fertility as adults. In some cases fertility of the twin bull differ this gender can be decreased and became barren after the age of a few years.

 The theory of hormonal related to barreness on freemartin cow explained that is pregnant of twin with different gender occur development of testicular from male fetuses are more rapid than in the ovary of female twins, so that androgen hormones produced in advance. On pregnant period from livestock twins are always happened attachment between the fetal membranes which one with other fetal membranes, accompanied with the existence of anastomosa blood vessels from both fetuses, resulting in mixing of blood between the male and female fetuses that androgen hormones from a male fetus will enter into the body of the female fetus. Androgen hormones in the body of a male fetus capable of inhibiting the growth of the male genitals that do not grow properly and remain small until the adult condition.

Female cow which born twin with bull is not freemartin can also occur, this is due to both fetal membrane chorion with different sex a occur convergence failure after development of the genitals so that the female genitalia can develop normally.

The symptoms of cow freemartin are : 

1. Glands of udder and nipples remained small, this situation easy distinguished from udder that normal after two months of age or older.

2. Organs of genitalia not grow normally, such as : 

• The shape of vulva is small and there is hair growing under the vulva is more dense.
• Clitoris become larger.
• The size of vagina is small and blocked on front of edge .
• The cervix does not grow perfectly.
• Uterus small size such as ribbon.
• Fallopian tubes are not palpable.
• The ovary is very small so that in the shape thickening of tissue.

3. In the rectal touch, all the reproductive tract and ovaries can not be felt unless the uterus.

4. Freemartin cow looks like a bull and always in a state of anestrus.

Diagnosis of freemartin is use a tool such as blunt glass with measure 16 mm that is inserted into the vagina. In normal female cows, stem glass can enter far as 12 to 15 cm, while the vagina cow freemartin glass rod which can enter deep as 5 to 6 cm only, it is because the vaginal canal is much shorter. 

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