My bitch is empty! : an overview of the preconceptional causes of infertility in dogs

Roos-Pichenot, Juliette (author), Zakošek, Maja (author)

Infertility is a complex and common problem in reproductive medicine consultations. Three factors must be examined during the preconception phase: breeding management, the fertility of the bitch, and the fertility of the stud dog. Among these factors, improper breeding management remains the main cause of reproductive failure, with accurate recognition of ovulation being crucial for successful mating. Artificial insemination allows for a thorough evaluation of semen quality compared to natural mating. In addition, genetic selection, nutritional factors, and reproductive health management can either impair or improve the fertility of females and males. Idiopathic infertility can occur in bitches, but it is important to rule out other possible causes first. In bitches with irregular estrus cycles, ovarian dysfunction and endocrine imbalances should be investigated. In bitches with regular cycles, uterine disorders such as cystic endometrial hyperplasia, endometritis or congenital anomalies may be the cause. Both mating-related and chronic endometritis are recognized as contributing factors to infertility. Infectious agents, particularly Brucella spp. and Mycoplasma spp., should also be evaluated, although interpretation of Mycoplasma test results requires caution. In males presenting with poor semen quality, potential causes include infectious diseases (with brucellosis always requiring exclusion), hormonal imbalances, and the impact of exogenous treatments. The article underscores the critical role of comprehensive diagnostic protocols, proactive health surveillance, and data-driven breeding strategies in systematically addressing this multifaceted challenge.

• Language: English
• Keywords: infertility, estrus cycle, breeding soundness examination, breeding management, semen
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
• Organization: VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 33 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 12, no. 7, art. 663
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-174961
• UDC: 618.2/.7:636.09
• ISSN on article: 2306-7381
• DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12070663
• COBISS.SI-ID: 242411011
• Publication date in RUL: 20.11.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Veterinary sciences
• Shortened title: Vet. sci.
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2306-7381
• COBISS.SI-ID: 523429657

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P4-0053-2019
• Name: Endokrini, imunski in encimski odzivi pri zdravih in bolnih živalih