PATHOLOGY OF THE CORPUS-LUTEUM OF COWS

The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine organ which can manife st a number of pathologic conditions such as cysts, inflammation, adhe sions, dysfunction and neoplasia. Luteal and follicular cysts are the most commonly encountered abnormalities and need to be distinguished f rom cysts within a normal CL. Inflammatory lesions are also frequently encountered and can be caused by viral, bacterial, or iatrogenic caus es. If inflammation is severe, adhesions and subfertility/infertility can result. Luteal dysfunction is a broad classification of another pa thologic condition encountered in the cow. Generally this results in a bnormal production of progesterone or abnormal luteal lifespan resulti ng in infertility. Neoplasms are relatively rare in the CL but include both primary and metastatic tumors. Understanding the pathologic cond itions that occur within the CL will allow a more accurate clinical as sessment of these very dynamic endocrine structures.