NO136605B - - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for insertion

in the vagina of animals with a vagina that ends in a normally closed vulva at the back and ends at the cervix at the front, said vagina being limited by a folded vaginal wall with a distinct ring-shaped sphincter between the cervix and vulva.

Such animals include cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, horses, etc. As will be explained below, anchoring the inserted device according to established instructions can result in regulation or modification of the timing of the animal's reproduction cycle, better rearing of the animal, increased milk production, impeding fertilization or retention of a chemical descent system. Certain devices connect to the anchoring device to be retained in the reproductive organs for several different functions, including (a) detection of fluid formation that precedes ovulation, (b) external, visible indication of oestrus, and (c) artificial insemination.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that it. comprises mounting means consisting of at least one mounting ring with an annular surface and spaced apart resilient means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced springy splines or the like. which is carried by the mounting members and projects axially from the annular surface and is arranged circumferentially about an axis which largely coincides with the axis of the annular surface, the common periphery of which players is substantially larger than the periphery of the mounting ring, that the separate yielding members can be pressed together into a size that makes it easy to insert the device through the vulva and into the vagina, as the device has a length that makes it possible to place it between the cervix and the closing

the muscle, that the separate yielding organs serve to

utove pressure against the vaginal wall so that it expands in relation to its normal cross-sectional shape, that the separate yielding organs form a number of separate channels adapted to allow the passage of vaginal fluid, and that the device is adapted to be fully placed inside the vagina for that the vulva should be able to assume its normally closed position, as the yielding organs, when the device is arranged in the vagina, form the maximum radial extent of the device.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, fig. 1-8.

With reference to fig. 1 and 2, which show a cow as an example, the device is inserted into the cow's vaginal opening with the front part facing the cow's cervix. The illustrated device comprises an anchoring part 30 mounted around an elongated housing 20 of largely cylindrical shape.

The anchoring part 30 is mounted around the housing 20 and comprises protruding, yielding members consisting of curved, flexible splines 32 at a distance from each other which each form an outwardly curved coil and together form an enlarged ring shape. The coils 32 are compliant so that they can easily be pushed through the reproductive organs by folding into the vaginal opening in a pinched, compliant form to help prevent spontaneous ejaculation. The compliance also makes it possible to press them together in a mirror or rudder for insertion into the reproductive organ. When the device is removed from the mirror, the anchoring part will expand in size and engage with the wall of the organ. Suitable spigot materials for long-term placement in the vaginal opening without irritation include nylon, polyethylene and certain other compliant materials. Games that are formed from the aforementioned materials with e.g. an outer diameter of approx. 1.6-5 mm has proven to have the desired flexibility.

The anchoring part 30 is designed so that it should come into contact with the animal's reproductive organ wall and subject this to a pressure which is sufficient to expand the wall's cross-sectional shape in the installation area from the normal shape, but not sufficient to cause pressure necrosis or irritation in the installation area. This form prevents spontaneous ejection of the device from the animal's reproductive organ and stimulates the organ wall to influence the animal in a way that will be discussed in more detail below. This shape also allows drainage between the slats.

One reason for the effective retention of the device is that the vagina of many female animals, such as the cow, the pig and the human, comprises a vaginal ring-like muscle which extends in a ring around part of the organ wall. The back side of the anchoring device's threads are placed so that they are pressed against the front of this muscle by the animal and so that spontaneous expulsion is prevented.

An indication part 34 is removably mounted on the housing 20 and comprises an internal spring member, not shown, within a protective sleeve 40 made of a flexible material, such as nylon film, which does not act irritatingly on the member wall. A mechanically driven oestrous fluid recording unit, not shown, holds the indicating member 34 close to the housing 20 in a fixed position and, upon activation, allows the spring in the housing 40 to move the element away from the housing for the animal to eventually move it out of its reproductive organ. For this released position, a string 54 is arranged which keeps the element 34 hanging from the animal, as shown in fig. 2, for visual observation at a considerable distance from the animal over a longer period of time. This is of great importance in order to be able to accurately determine the right time in the animal's reproduction cycle for artificial or natural insemination. The element 34 is suitably constructed so that it does not capture and retain urine.

The registration unit for the above purposes comprises a registration element which retains the indicating means near the housing 2o and which, when it comes into contact with liquid with signs of oestrus

- unlike normal vaginal mucus - releases the indication unit. The recording means is enclosed in the housing 20 which comprises a channel in communication with the source of ovulation precursor fluid. In a cow, the opening is closest to the cervix. A suitable recording element is formed from a highly tensile, water-soluble material, such as a calendered polyethylene oxide, sold under the trademark "Polyox" by Union Carbide Corp. The Polyox material can be changed chemically or by radiation, so that its water-

dissolution rate is reduced or covered by a suitable material which sublimes or dissolves at a fixed rate at vaginal temperature, so that the Polyox material is exposed at a certain time after insertion. This is done in order to prevent registration in the registration element of fluids that can be secreted in the reproductive organ immediately after insertion of the device and that do not need to indicate oestrus.

Another time-delaying means comprises a slowly dissolving, sublimable or vaporizable plug arranged so that it blocks liquid inflow to the recording element for a certain time after insertion of the device.

In another indication unit, also not shown, a dye may be released in response to registration of the above-mentioned registration element. The dye may be present in the housing 2o in a sealed container. Release of the dye can be achieved by activation of a spring-loaded penetrating device which,

after registration by the registration unit, punctures the container to release the dye.

It should be noted that modifications of the above device

can be done without leaving the scope of the present invention. For example, for oestrus registration and indication, other mechanical registration devices can be used which are operated in response to contact with ovulation precursor fluids. Furthermore, indicators such as release of the dye and other than the protruding indicator element can be used provided they react as a result of activation of the recording unit and are visible at a considerable distance from the animal.

In fig. 3 and 4 show a side view and a cross-section of an anchoring device without a central housing. The device is suitably shaped to be retained in a gilt vagina and comprises a front and a rear mounting ring 42 respectively. 44 with openings at mutual radial distances for the insertion of curved, flexible yielding pulleys 46 which are mounted on the rings in such a way that an enlarged ring shape appears. The outer extent of the threads is relatively small in accordance with the small cross-sectional area of the gilt's vagina. A coiled cord 48 may be attached to the rear mounting ring which protrudes from the animal, for easy removal after stimulation of the reproductive organ regulatory mechanisms to the desired extent, but which remains in the vagina to prevent other animals from extracting the device.

In fig. 4 and 5 show a side view and a cross-section of a device similar to that shown in fig. 3 and 4. The main difference is that the device according to fig. 5 and 6 have a larger radial extent for insertion into the larger reproductive organs of a sow. Equal reference numbers 11 denote equal parts.

Fig. 7 and 8 show a side view and a cross-section of another device which is specially adapted for cows. The device comprises a vaginal anchoring unit which comprises several yielding coils 50 in the form of boilers in a largely elliptical shape, mounted in radially spaced openings in rear and front mounting rings 52, respectively. 54. A cylindrical rear portion 55 forms part of the ring 52 for stimulation of the vaginal ring-like muscle.

A cervix anchoring unit is provided which comprises a clamping ring 58 large enough to be pushed over the protruding cervix ring and small enough to be retained there without causing irritation or damage to the tissue. The clamping ring 58 is connected to the part 54 in a flexible manner by a series of connecting, elongated threads 60 arranged at a distance from each other. The clamping ring 58 helps to hold the vaginal anchor assembly in place and acts as an auxiliary source of stimulation of the reproductive organ regulatory mechanism, if such stimulation is desired in addition to that obtained by the vaginal anchor.

Typical dimensions for an anchoring device as shown in fig.

1 and 2 or 7 and 3, suitable for insertion into the vagina of a cow are as follows: (a) in a freely expanded state - outer diameter approx. 101.6 mm, length approx. 203.2 mm, (b) in compressed state-in vagina - outer diameter approx. 63.5 mm and length approx. 228.6 mm. Corresponding dimensions for a device according to fig. 4 and 5, appropriate for a gilt are: (a) in a freely expanded state - 25.4 mm diameter and length 63.5 mm - and (b)

in a compressed state - approx. 15.88 mm diameter and length 69.85

etc. Corresponding dimensions for a device as shown in fig.

5 and 6, suitable for sows are (a) in expanded state - 63.5 mm outer diameter and length 101.6 mm and (b) in compressed state - outer diameter 50.8 mm and length 127 mm.

Another embodiment of the anchoring unit's compliant parts comprises a layer of compliant foam, e.g. polyurethane foam, around the central body. The foam is suitably covered by a layer of nylon or the like. so that liquid is not retained by the foam. In the perimeter, a path is arranged which includes a number of tracks or channels at a distance from each other, so that liquids can pass.

Insertion of an anchoring device in an animal's reproductive organ so that the wall of the organ is under sufficient pressure to have the cross-sectional shape in the contact area expanded in relation to the usual shape for a sufficiently long time has been shown to have a number of effects on the animal. Continued vaginal insertion of an anchoring device in a dairy cow's reproductive organ during the milking period lets e.g. to cause the cow's udders to become significantly fuller during milking than they would normally be at the same time in the reproductive cycle. From this observation, one can draw the conclusion that such prolonged insertion leads to a greater rate of release in terms of oxytocin than without this device in place, as increased oxytocin release as is known leads to fuller udders. Other hormones, such as pro-lactin, growth hormone, can also be affected or released.

Insertion of an anchoring device of the above type into an animal's reproductive organ, particularly into the animal's vagina, appears to affect the neurohormonal mechanism as a result of stimulation of the hypothalamic pituitary axis. These effects vary depending on the time of insertion of the device as discussed below.

When a device as shown in fig. 7 is placed in a cow's vagina during the time the animal is in heat and the animal is artificially inseminated close to the time when the device was inserted, a noticeable increase in pregnancy cases is observed. This applies especially to the first time post-partum. A possible reason could be the dramatic increase in reproductive organ secretion or cervical closure, tone and motility when retaining the device in the vagina for eg 3-5 days or more, which may promote sperm transport, and possibly implantation of the fertilized egg.

Another important neurohormonal effect is that inserting the device into the reproductive organ at a time other than during the oestrous period induces growth of follicles, secretion of mucus and hormones. That time includes pre-puberty, the time the animal has an estrous cycle and the time post-partum when the normal cycle again occurs.

Stimulation from a device inserted into the vagina of an animal during the estrous cycle period will affect the vagina-cervix and external environment. Insertion only seems to affect rejected eggs in the reproductive system. If the device is only present for a short period, less than an hour, this will lead to mucus secretion and a changed organ environment. If it exists, e.g. for 3-7 days or more, follicles are made to grow on the ovaries with resulting artificially accelerated cycle in the animal. Such follicles can produce fertilized eggs depending on the degree of intervention in the animal's normal cycle. This regulation of the cycle can be used as with contraception in humans by increasing the effectiveness of the contraceptive method that follows the "rhythm". The regulatory effect can also be used to accurately predict the right time for artificial insemination.

Stimulation from the inserted device in the vagina of a young animal, such as a gilt, artificially causes early follicular development and consequently early oestrus. The normal puberty period for a gilt is e.g. an age of more than 200 days. If the device is inserted and allowed to remain in the gilt's reproductive organ for more than 5 days, when it is e.g. 150 days old, the animal will be stimulated to puberty or early heat when it is approx. 155-170 days old.

It has been shown that if an animal in a group of gilts that has been stimulated by an inserted device for puberty goes into early heat, many animals in its immediate vicinity, e.g. same and nearby stalls, often get their estrous period in the course of a shorter time, especially "if these animals have recently been moved together from different places. A possible explanation for this is that additional influence which may be based on "pheronomic", oral or visual stimulation of the nearest gilts has a synergistic effect in connection with the device's stimulation.This effect increases the device's synchronizing effect.

insertion of the device into the vagina of an animal, e.g. a cow, for example 1 day post-partum causes early follicular growth, involution of the uterus and clearance of uterine waste in as little as 10 days post-partum. Normally, the cow's uterus will not achieve full involution for 30-45 days post-partum. The meaning of a rapid involution is that the animal returns to a fertile state in the course of a shorter time, which in turn reduces the potential intervals between calvings.

The above-mentioned effects, such as the induction of early puberty, can be enhanced synergistically or influenced in another way and can be made to occur at a more predictable time by the use of additional stresses of a different nature than that which the device induces. For example, avoidance of water and feed, confinement, humidity and temperature swings can be combined with the vaginal stress from the device either to inhibit the device's regulatory effect on the animal's reproductive cycle (confinement) or to increase it (temperature swing).

The effect of these stresses is thought to affect the hypothalamus, but localized low-level stresses are not sufficient alone to initiate early puberty, e.g. It is worth noting that when the device alone or together with other influences causes oestrus or puberty in the gilt, it will continue with an even estrus cycle. The animal can then reproduce

the original stimulated puberal oestrus. It has been shown that the number of eggs shed increases after at least one cycle compared to those produced during the initial stimulated ovulation. You can thus expect a larger litter when fertilization occurs after the next ovulation.

If a more accurate oestrous synchronization is desired in the gilt than can be achieved with the device alone, an auxiliary dose of "Pregnant Mares System Gonadtropin" (PMSG) or "Human Chorionic Gonadtropin" (HCG) can be injected in a dose of e.g. 500-1000 i.u. approximately 4-7 days for oestrus is desired in order to achieve a well-synchronized early oestrus. This injection can be synchronized with the insertion of the device or its removal with PMSG or HCG addition, and the result can be an easy super-ovulation.

Under normal conditions, a lactating sow will not enter oestrus

for weaning. However, it has been shown that inserting the device e.g. 7th day post-partum with removal 18th day post-partum provides a stimulus that induces ovulation. This will not usually induce oestrus. If an injection of approx. 1000-2000 i.u. PMSG or HCG is given on the 18th day, the sow will be in heat. This effect can be increased, e.g. less hormones are required, if the animal has been kept on a reduced water ration or if partial weaning is used synchronously.

The effect is that the lactating sow is stimulated to estrus, fertilization and pregnancy and can still continue to nurse the piglets. Other hormones, such as "Human Chorionic Gonadtropin" (HCG)

can also be used. Based on post-mortem data and observations of suckers, it has been shown that the device induces follicles and it is believed that PMSG and HCG stimulate these follicles to a natural ovulation cycle and often to superovulation.

An unexpected beneficial effect when inserting a device

of the above type in a prepuberal gilt of approx. 140 to 150 days is enough weight gain per day in the animal during a period extending from 120 days of age through a stimulated early estrus and pregnancy until a particular time interval after pregnancy, compared to a non-stimulated corresponding control gilt from 120 days of age through a spontaneous estrus until the same time interval after pregnancy . It is assumed that the daily weight gain of other animals, such as heifers or prepubertal sheep, would also increase when such a device was inserted, with greater production of high-quality meat as a result.

The anchoring device can also be modified accordingly

with the present invention, as long as it prevents spontaneous out-

support of the anchoring unit itself or the registration unit or the container for medicine, chemicals or seminal fluid, if such have been used.

Although the above primarily dealt with insertion

of a device in the cow's vagina, the method is obviously also

reversible for all kinds of animals that have similar stimulated responses

mechanisms and also has a rod-shaped reproductive organ which re-

grasps ovaries. For adaptation to different sizes and shapes of the animal's reproductive organ, to different cycle times

there and for different purposes, the above sizes and shapes of the device and the time of insertion, must create

retention and removal are of course modified to achieve correct stimulation.

Claims (1)

Device for insertion into the vagina in animals with a vagina which the back ends in a normally closed vulva and the front ends at the cervix, said vagina being limited by a folded vaginal wall with a clear ring-shaped sphincter between the cervix and the vulva, characterized in that the device comprises mounting organs consisting of at least one mounting ring (42, 44) with an annular surface and spaced apart yielding members comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient spools or the like. (46) which is carried by the mounting members and projects axially from the annular surface and is arranged circumferentially about an axis which generally coincides with the axis of the annular surface, the common periphery of which players is substantially larger than the periphery of the mounting ring, that the separate yielding members can be pressed together to a size that makes it easy to insert the device through the vulva and into the vagina, as the device has a length that makes it possible to place it between the cervix and the sphincter, that the separate yielding organs serve to exert pressure against the vaginal wall, so that this is unfolded in relation to its usual cross-sectional shape, that the separate yielding organs form a number of separate channels which are adapted to allow the passage of vaginal fluid, and that the device is adapted to be fully placed inside the vagina in order for the vulva to be able to assume its normal closed position, as the yielding organs, when the device is arranged in the vagina, form the device's maximum radial extent.