34. Pregnancy determination in cattle Flashcards
Rectal Palpation?
Rectal palpation
Palpation of the fluctuation- NON-SPECIFIC
- The asymmetric, fluid filled uterus is palpable
- Differential diagnosis
o Pyometra, mucometra, hydrometra
• Accurate and safe from day 30
Amniotic sac palpation?
Amniotic sac palpation
- Gentle palpation of the entire uterine horn
- Amniotic vesicle can be palpated as a firm, round shaped object in the allantois (1-2cm)
o Accurate and safe from day 30
Foetal membrane slipping?
Foetal membrane slipping
• Above the bifurcation we handle the uterus and let it “slip” out of our hands
• The allantochorion slips out between our fingers
• Accurate and safe from day 30
Uterine Fluctuation?
Uterine fluctuation
• Accurate and safe from day 35-70
Horn size?
Horn size
• The pregnant horn is up to 6x the diameter of the non-gravid horn at day 70
Foetus
Foetus
• From amniotic softening foetus may be palpable
Day 84?
Day 84
• >10: pregnant horn is easily detectable
Rectal Palpation advantage?
Rectal palpation advantage
- Simple and cost effective
- Prompt diagnosis
- Immediate treatment
Rectal palpation disadvantage?
Rectal palpation disadvantage
- Relative late (optimal day 51-56)
- Transmission of infectious diseases,
missing data, farm level biosecurity
• Can be confused with pyometra, large
tumours or mummified foetus
Ultrasonography?
Ultrasonography
• B-mode ultrasonography
o Advantage
§ Specific (live embryo)
o Disadvantage
§ From day 30
o Sensitivity
§ 97.7% pregnant
o Specificity
§ 97.8% non-pregnant
Culling?
Culling
- Used to rule out pregnancy before sending cow to slaughterhouse.
- Day 150:
o Uterus begins to sink down below the pelvic brim.
o May not be possible to palpate; taut band of tissue passing over pelvic brim.
o Palpation of foetus → day 210
Non- return to oestrous?
Non-return to oestrus:
- If the cow is not observed in oestrus ~ 3 w after service → pregnancy is assumed
- Not very reliable!
o Silent heat
o Pregnant animals may show some oestrus signs
§ AI may cause embryonic mortality in these cows!
Pregnancy protein measurement?
Pregnancy protein measurement
• Progesterone
o Milk, plasma, serum
o RIA, EIA, Cow side test → milk
o Two assumptions: stranding oestrus at AI.
o Oestrus cycle – normal length: elevated P4 at 21-24 days: pregnant.
o Accuracy:
§ Pregnant: 80-85 %
§ Non-pregnant: 97-100 %
o Advantage
§ Early diagnosis (D 20-24)
o Disadvantage
§ Not specific
Ideal milk progesterone pregnancy test?
Ideal milk progesterone pregnancy test
o 21 days after breeding
o Progesterone is high
