Pregnancy diagnosis

Question 1

What is the best sign of pregnancy in polyoestrus animals but what may it also be?

Answer 1

For polyoestrous species if oestrous signs are not observed around 3 weeks after service or insemination, the female is generally assumed to be pregnant.

But could be:
Mis-timing of observations
Persistent corpus luteum
Luteal cysts

Question 2

How does pseudopregnancy manifest in the bitch?

Answer 2

it is simply the non-pregnant luteal phase (bitch)

Question 3

How does pseudopregnancy manifest in induced ovulators?

Answer 3

It is simply the non-pregnant luteal phase when it occurs (induced ovulators)

Question 4

What is type 1 pseudopregnancy in the mare?

Answer 4

Failure between days 15 and 36
MRP has occured
No return to oestrus
Primary CL will persist for normal lifespan (approx. 40 days)
CL can be lysed by prostaglandin administration

Question 5

What is type 2 pseudopregnancy in the mare?

Answer 5

Failure of pregnancy between 36 and 140
At this point endometrial cups have formed
eCG secreted by cups maintains secondary CLs adn they will persist for 150 days
No return to oestrus
CL cannot be lysed by administration of prostaglandins

Question 6

What are the lab based pregnancy diagnosis tests?

Answer 6

Change associated with pregnancy in urine/blood
- No decline in progesterone at a defined time after mating
— Species-specific pregnancy specific factors e.g. PAG, hCG, placental oestrogens, relaxin

Question 7

What pregnancy diagnostics involve the fetus or fetal membranes?

Answer 7

• ultrasound examination
• Rectal palpation
  — Abdominal palpation
  — Radiographic examination

Question 8

Which factor is best used as an indicator of conception not pregnancy due to high incidence of embryo mortality?

Answer 8

Early conception factor

Question 9

High levels of progesterone are a good indicator of pregnancy but what else might cause high levels of progesterone?

Answer 9

Peristent CL that has not undergone luteolysis.

Question 10

There are no direct tests available for?

Answer 10

IFNt the pregnancy recognition factor for cows and ewes.

Question 11

When is oestrogen found during pregnancy?

Answer 11

— Higher concentrations of oestrogen in mid-pregnancy than in oestrus
— No false positive diagnoses
- Pregnancy specific oestrogens (e.g. oestrone
sulphate)

Question 12

What species can relaxin be used for PD because it is a placenta produced hormone?

Answer 12

Bitch and mare.

But used for PD in the bitch

Question 13

How can you diagnose pregnancy with ultrasound?

Answer 13

• Normally see an anechoic (fluid-filled) structure

* Which represents the yolk sac

Question 14

What are the physical changes that denote pregnancy?

Answer 14

. Increased appetite
. Weight gain
. Abdominal enlargement
. Relaxation of the perineal tissue/pelvic ligaments

• Uterine artery
— Blood supply enlargement
— Change ¡n blood flow (a turbulent ‘buzzing’ feel
called fremitus) Like water flowing through a small
pencil sized hose.

Teat and mammary gland
. Reddening
. Enlargement
. Secretion of milk in late pregnancy
. ‘Waxing up’ in the last few weeks prior to birth.

Question 15

What does progesterone do the layers of vaginal epithelium?

Answer 15

Decreases them. Layers are thinner.