Semen straw (French straw) in the uterus

Four cases in which a french straw was deposited into the uterus in connection with insemination are descibed. Of these, two cows were slaughtered as they did not get into calf despite repeated inseminations. The two others were laparotomised, and the straw removed in the one case. This straw was partly embedded in the uterine wall. This cow conceived on being inseminated 14 days after operation. In the other case, no straw was found in the uterus. Contractions must have caused the straw to be pushed out. This cow conceived to the insemination during which the straw was deposited, in spite of the lumen of the uterine body and the entrances to both uterine horns being thoroughly examined by finger palpation the day after insemination. The causal circumstances and mode of action with deposition of french straws in the uterus is discussed.