Pregnancy diagnosis in ruminants

Question 1

What is the gestation length in cattle? (days)

Answer 1

282 - 284 days

Question 2

When is the earliest an experienced palpator can detect pregnancy in cattle?

Answer 2

28 - 30 days post insemination through feeling for the amniotic vesicle, the fetal membrane slip, or the fetus in the uterus.

Question 3

What is a potential advantage and disadvantage of palpating cattle this early?

Answer 3

Advantage - Can identify nonpregnant cattle sooner and have the opportunity to get them re-bred quicker

Disadvantage- Slipping of the amniotic vesicle during this early stage of pregnancy could disturb the implantation resulting in pregnancy loss

Question 4

Provide an approximate age of the calf that is the size of a
a. Mouse

b. Rat/small cat

c. Large cat

d. Beagle size dog

Answer 4

a. 2 months
b. 3-4 months
c. 5 months
d. 6 months

Question 5

Why do we palpate through the rectum (as opposed to the vagina) to detect pregnancy?

Answer 5

If we palpate via the vagina we could rupture the cervical plug of pregnancy allowing for bacteria or pathogens to enter into the uterine body, which could possibly terminate the pregnancy.

Question 6

What substance is detected in the blood pregnancy test used for ruminants?

Answer 6

Pregnancy Specific Protein B

Question 7

What tissues produce PSPB?

Answer 7

the binucleated cells of the trophectoderm (placenta)

Question 8

What is the first thing you feel for when palpating a cow?

Answer 8

the Pelvic Ridge