Bovine Pregnancy Flashcards
Modalities for pregnancy diagnosis:
How many offspring do cows usually have? Do their embryos have mobility?
one - monotocous
no, remains ipsilateral to the side of ovulation
What is the average length of gestation of cows? What kind of placenta do they have?
280 (279-287)
cotyledonary synepitheliochorial - placetomes connect fetus to mother, not as many layers as horses and more than other species
What are the 2 major sources of progesterone during bovine pregnancy?
- throughout gestation = CL
- 4th/5th to 8th month = placenta
What are the 4 cardinal signs of bovine pregnancy? When are they seen?
- amniotic vesicle - day 28-60
- chorioallantoic membrane slip - day 30-90
- placentomes (caruncles + cotyledons) - day 75-120
- fetus - day 60 until term
Why is behavior not the sole determinant as a sign of pregnancy?
not reliable - failure to return to estrus 18-22 days after service or artificial insemination + pregnant cows may show estrual behavior
What setup is recommended for transrectal palpation of the bovine reproductive tract? In what 3 ways can trauma to the cow be minimized?
chute, headlock, palpation rail +/- backup bar (can harm palpator if cow decides to lie down
- lubricant
- keep fingers together
- don’t fight the cow = observes for an arched back and wait out peristalsis
How can trauma to the palpator be avoided when performing reproductive exams on cows?
don’t palpate with arm above your shoulder
- get a stool if need be!
What is the earliest time that transrectal palpation can be helpful for reproductive exams?
30-45 days of gestation
What are 6 additional supportive findings of pregnancy in cows?
- presence of CL indicates where the fetus will be
- inability to retract the cervix, likely due to heavy fetus
- fluid within or fluctuance of the uterus
- enlarged diameter and asymmetru of the uterine horns (could be due to pyometra)
- enlargement and fremitus of the uterine artery
- fetus ballottement
What is the first step in transrectal palpation of the reproductive tract?
retraction - grasp the cervix or intercornual ligament and pull uterus into the pelvic floor
How does the membrane slip feel as gestation progresses?
- day 30 = thread in gravid horn
- day 60 = string in both horns
- day 90 = large string in both horns
How does bovine fetal size progress further into gestation?
- day 60 = mouse
- day 90 = rat
- day 120 = small cat
How does placentome size progress further into gestation?
- day 30-80 = not palpable or extremely small
- day 90 = dime
- day 120 = nickel/quarter
When is fremitus palpable?
day 120 - on side of pregnant horn (6 mm)
- day 150 - side of pregnant horn (9 mm)
- day 180 - both horns (10-12 mm)