Acquired Reproductive Tract Damage After Camel Dystocia: From Cervical Injury to Infertility

Dystocia may end when the calf is delivered, but the reproductive consequences can persist long after the immediate obstetrical problem has resolved. 

Trauma to the reproductive tract during difficult or poorly managed parturition can leave cervical adhesions, tears, stenosis, vaginal adhesions and other acquired lesions. These changes may later present as repeat breeding, recurrent pregnancy loss or accumulation of uterine secretions^[1],[2]. 

The cervix may be the first place to look^[1],[3] 

Cervical trauma is among the important acquired cervical abnormalities associated with infertility. Tears and adhesions can follow unattended dystocia or inadequate obstetrical and gynaecological manipulation. 

The consequence may become apparent much later. A female that previously calved may subsequently return repeatedly for breeding or experience recurrent pregnancy loss. 

A non-patent cervix is associated with mucometra, making cervical patency an important part of the reproductive examination. 

When catheterisation is difficult or impossible, cervical fibrosis or stenosis should be considered. In camelids, hysteroscopy and contrast fluoroscopy have been used to investigate cervical abnormalities. 

Breaking an adhesion is not always the solution 

Manual disruption of cervical adhesions may appear straightforward, but adhesions can recur and may become more severe^[3]. 

For valuable females with significant cervical obstruction, cervical stenting has been described as an option to prevent fluid accumulation and preserve reproductive potential. Such approaches may also allow reproductive technologies such as oocyte collection and in-vitro embryo production to be considered. 

The appropriate approach depends on the extent of the lesion and the reproductive value of the individual animal. 

Look beyond the cervix^[1] 

Dystocia-associated damage is not restricted to the cervical canal. 

Necrotic vaginitis following dystocia can progress to vaginal adhesions and mucometra. Uterine cysts and intraluminal adhesions have also been reported after dystocia or postpartum prolapse. 

This means that a history of difficult parturition should prompt a complete reproductive tract assessment, rather than an examination limited to the ovaries and uterus. 

The fertility problem may appear much later 

One of the challenges with acquired reproductive tract injury is the delay between the original obstetrical event and the eventual fertility complaint. 

A female may appear clinically recovered after dystocia but later develop: 

• Repeat breeding; 
• Recurrent pregnancy loss; 
• Cervical obstruction with accumulation of uterine secretions; 
• Vaginal adhesions; or 
• Uterine changes associated with previous trauma or infection. 

The history of dystocia therefore remains clinically relevant even when the animal is presented much later for infertility. 

Clinical takeaway 

When a previously fertile camel becomes a repeat breeder after a difficult birth, do not limit the investigation to ovarian function or uterine inflammation. Cervical fibrosis, adhesions, stenosis, and vaginal injury can persist after dystocia and may become the key explanation for subsequent reproductive failure. 

A careful reproductive history combined with assessment of cervical patency and targeted imaging or endoscopic evaluation, when indicated, can help identify acquired lesions that might otherwise remain hidden.

References:

1. Sghiri A, Ciccarelli M, Waqas MS, Anouassi A, Tibary A. Advances in the diagnosis of reproductive disorders in female camelids. Animals. 2025 Oct 4;15(19):2902. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/19/2902
2. Ali A, Derar DR, Almundarij TI. Infertility in female dromedary camels. Journal of Camel Practice and Research. 2021;28(3):267-76. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ahmed-Ali-118/publication/357651097
3. Derar R, Ali A, Al-Sobayil F, Al-Hawas A. Clinical findings and reproductive performance of female dromedary affected with vaginal and cervical adhesions and stenosis. J. Camel Pract. Res. 2016 Jun 1;23:179-84. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Derar-Derar/publication/307601234