VETERINARSKI ARHIV 69 (3), 160, 1999

ISSN 1331-8055
Published in Croatia

BOOK REVIEW

GRUNERT, EBERHARD, AART DE KRUIF (Eds.): Eberhard Grunert and Max Berchtold - Fertility disorders in female cattle. 3^rd revised edition with 446 illustrations, 130 colour illustrations and 49 tables (German language). Original title: Grunert, Eberhard und Aart de Kruif (Hrsg.): Fertilitätsstörungen beim weiblichen Rind. 3., neubearbeitete Auflage, mit 446 Abbildungen, davon 130 auf Farbtafeln, und 49 Tabellen. Parey Buchverlag. Berlin, 1999. 430 pages. 21 ´ 28 cm. Hard cover. ISSBN 3-8263-3150-8. Prices: DM 248.00/ ÖS 1810.00/ SFr 228.50.

The content of the extremely broad spectrum of this book is presented through 21 chapters: reproductive physiology, diagnostic tests, embryonal disorders in development of the genital organs (innate sterility), ovarian function disorders, oestrous cycle and oestrous disorders, the basis of hormonal therapy, ovarian tube diseases, uterine diseases, cervical diseases, vestibular and vaginal diseases, genital infectious diseases, embryonal death, abortion, lower fertility, innate conditioned fertility disorders, environmental influence on fertility, herd fertility, oestrous synchronisation, embryotransfer and similar methods, gynaecological operations, and forensic judgements in veterinary reproduction.

In the first six chapters the internal and external factors that control the oestrous cycle, pregnancy and puerperium are described, as are various diagnostic procedures for sterility determination, especially gynaecological, sonographic, microbiological, cytological, endoscopic and different clinical-chemical tests. The methods of oestrous determination and pregnancy diagnosis are also elaborated. Innate and hereditary ovarian anomalies as well as hormonal regulation disorders are also described. In addition to diagnosis and differential diagnosis for each disorder, the therapy and prophylactics are also described. At the end, and very importantly, conditions for hormonal therapy and specific hormones are listed. In Chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10 developmental anomalies, inflammations, tumours and lesions of the ovarian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, vestibule and vulva are described. After the disease description, modern therapy and prophylactics are shown. In chapters 11, 12 and 13 genital infectious diseases are described, as are as their consequences as well as recommendations for the veterinary practice. The importance and aetiology of embryonal death, symptoms, diagnosis and control measures for these diseases are noted, in addition to the diagnosis, prognosis, therapy and prophylactics of non-infectious, infectious and artificial abortions and veterinary measures connected with abortion. Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 describe all influences, measures and management for herd reproduction improvement. Chapter 19, besides the use and procedures of embryotransfer, includes an illustration of in vitro maturation and fertilisation of the oocites, as well as mycromanipulation and sex determination of the foetus. In chapter 20 operations of vulva and vagina are described, as well as ovariotomy, while in chapter 21 attention is given to the forensic judgement of various veterinary procedures in reproduction, together with the mistakes it is possible to make.

The technical editing of this book is of a very high standard and a great contribution is made both by black and white and colour photographs and by many perfect drawings, tables and charts. The book includes educational and practical disciplines; the physiology and pathology of reproduction, from fertilisation, pregnancy and puerperium to the biotechnological reproductive procedures employed in cattle management. The authors present all modern achievements made in this scientific area. It is with pleasure, therefore, that I am able to recommend this book not only to students of veterinary medicine but also to established veterinary practitioners.

Zdenko Makek