• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.348-351
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• 2012

A vaginal speculum examination of a 17-month-old Holstein heifer with a history of repeated artificial insemination (AI) failures via the cranial vagina revealed the presence of an intact hymen (imperforate hymen) beyond the external urethral orifice, which resembled the vaginal wall. An ultrasonographic examination detected hypoechoic fluid within the vaginal cavity between the intact hymen and the cervix, indicating the presence of hydrocolpos. After sedation and epidural anesthesia, the intact hymen was incised using a scalpel and scissors and removed, while the incised portions were sutured using a simple interrupted method. The heifer became pregnant after three consecutive estruses with the intervals of approximately 20 days and concomitant AIs. The heifer gave birth to a healthy male calf with no complications after a 291-day gestation period. This case reports the presence of an imperforate hymen with hydrocolpos in a Holstein heifer, followed by successful insemination, conception and delivery after removal of the imperforate hymen.