Continued
Up until now the discussion has centered on infertility of the bitch based on hormonal, metabolic, management related, genetic or anatomic (congenital or acquired) disorders/ deficiencies. Today, we’ll look at the infections aspect of infertility.
Chronic endometritis – (CE)
This is low-grade bacterial infection that affects the internal lining of the womb. The germs which invade the uterus (womb) usually work their way up from the vagina. Let’s face it: the very position of the entrance of the vagina (under the anus) is tailor-made for bacteria to accumulate and enter the vagina. Perhaps that’s why there are so many defence mechanisms in that area to prevent germs from anchoring themselves in the vaginal tissue and working their way upwards towards the womb. Be that as it may, it doesn’t stop those obstinate germs from invading the vagina and then marching towards the uterus, via the cervix – that body which connects the vagina and the uterus (womb).
Once the germ troops have landed in the uterus, even if they are not numerous, they create an inflammatory environment that would almost surely lead to infertility. For one thing, those germs (and their toxic products) kill sperm cells. Dead semen cannot