Introduction

• To determine an animal's pregnancy status Pregnancy diagnosis: overview.

Uses

Advantages

• Inexpensive.
• No additional equipment is required.
• Fast and accurate means of pregnancy diagnosis when performed by experienced personnel.

Disadvantages

• Rectal palpation is an invasive technique and as such there should always be justification for its use and consideration given to ensuring optimal animal welfare.
• The viability of the embryo or fetus cannot be visually assessed.
• Uterine infection Uterine infection: overview may be misinterpreted as early pregnancy.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Outcomes

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Crowe M A, Hostens M & Opsomer G (2018 Reproductive management in dairy cows - the future. Ir Vet J 71, 1-13 PubMed.
• Fricke P M, Ricci A, Giordano J O & Carvalho P D (2016) Methods for and implementation of pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows. Vet Clin Food Anim 32 (1), 165-180 PubMed.
• Bollwein H & Heppelmann M (2016) Ultrasonographic doppler use for female reproduction management. Vet Clin Food Anim 32 (1),149-164 PubMed.
• Buczinski S (2009) Ultrasonographic assessment of late term pregnancy in cattle. Vet Clin Food Anim 25 (3), 753-76 PubMed.
• DesCoteaux L, Gnemmi G & Colloton J (2009) Ultrasonography of the bovine female genital tract. Vet Clin Food Anim 25 (3), 733-752 PubMed.
• Sheldon I M & Noakes D (2002) Pregnancy diagnosis in cattle. In Practice 24, 310-317.
• Sheldon I M (1997) Bovine fertility - practical implications of the maternal recognition of pregnancy. In Practice 19, 546-556.

Other sources of information

• Pregnancy Diagnosis (Palpation) pdf.