Ovariectomy by colpotomy in cows

For the purpose of collecting active ovarian structures for cell culture, unilateral ovariectomy (n = 34 ovaries) was performed per vagina on 17 dairy cows having normal estrous cycles, bilateral ovariectomy was performed on 9 (n = 18 ovaries) dairy cows, and corpora lutea (n = 13) were removed from 11 beef cows having normal estrous cycles. None of the cows was clinically ill after the operation. Nine of 37 cows developed adhesions of both uterine horns and the body of the uterus. Three instruments were used to perform colpotomy. The described surgical technique for removal of the ovaries or corpora lutea is practical and inexpensive, and has low morbidity associated with it.