Lecture 13: Pregnancy Diagnosis & Gestational Problems (Galvao)

Question 1

Reasons to perform pregnancy diagnosis

Answer 1

• detecting nonpregnant/pregnant animals
• economics (milk producation, replacements)
• purchase or sale of animals
• evaluation of repro management (CR, PR)
• confirmation of pregnancy

Question 2

direct methods of pregnancy dx in cattle

Answer 2

• ballottement of the fetus transabdominally or per rectum
• palp. per rectum (membrane slip, amniotic vesicle, fetus, placentomes)
• US

Question 3

indirect (presumptive) methods of pregnancy dx in cattle

Answer 3

• Hx of non-return to estrus; anestrus
• mammary development (could also be due to ovarian tumor!)
• endocrine (P4) changes in milk or blood (luteal cysts can also produce progesterone, or a pyometra can maintain CL)
• palpation per rectum (assymetry, fluctuance, fremitus)
• preg. specific proteins
• interferon-tao stimulated genes

Question 4

when can pregnancy first be dx with US in cows?**

Answer 4

~day 27/28 (as early as 21d in ideal conditions)

Question 5

4 main positive signs of pregnancy**

Answer 5

fetal membrane slip
amniotic vesicle
fetus
placentomes

Question 6

fetal membrane slip feels:

Answer 6

chorioallantois membrane (opposed to endometrium)

• the other memb. is the amniotic sac, which envelops the fetus
• earliest felt around 35d

Question 7

difference b/w embryo and fetus

Answer 7

fetus has completed organogenesis

Question 8

types of fluctuance

Answer 8

• pregnancy
• pyometra (most common in cows)
• hydrometra (most common in goats)
• mucometra

Question 9

implantation occurs when in cattle?

Answer 9

~day 16/17

Question 10

when are placentomes first formed?

Answer 10

day 40-45 (can’t feel until >3mo.)

Question 11

placentomes composed of

Answer 11

caruncles and cotyledons

Question 12

fluctuation time detected**

Answer 12

> 30d

Question 13

membrane slip time detected**

Answer 13

> 30d

Question 14

amniotic vesicle time detected**

Answer 14

35-65d

Question 15

fetus time detected**

Answer 15

> 65d

Question 16

placentomes time detected**

Answer 16

> 3mo.

Question 17

fremitus time detected**

Answer 17

> 3.5mo (~100d)

Question 18

what is fremitus?

Answer 18

a vibration perceptible on palpation or auscultation, e.g. palpable in the middle uterine a. in late pregnant cows

Question 19

T/F: cows can only maintain pregnancy on side of CL

Answer 19

T

Question 20

After what month is it easier to feel placentomes than membrane slip?

Answer 20

third

Question 21

what percent of twin pregnancies are lost if in same horn?

Answer 21

50%

Question 22

genital tubercle seen in male or female feti?

Answer 22

female

Question 23

middle uterine a. branch of which artery?

Answer 23

internal iliac

Question 24

width of amniotic vesicle on day 30

Answer 24

8-10 mm (1/2 finger)

Question 25

width of amniotic vesicle on day 40

Answer 25

1 finger

Question 26

width of amniotic vesicle on day 50

Answer 26

3 fingers

Question 27

width of amniotic vesicle on day 60

Answer 27

4 fingers

Question 28

size of fetus on gestation 60d

Answer 28

mouse

Question 29

size of fetus at 90d

Answer 29

rat

Question 30

size of fetus at 120d

Answer 30

small cat

Question 31

size of fetus at 150d

Answer 31

large cat

Question 32

size of fetus at 180d

Answer 32

beagle

Question 33

size of fetus at 210d

Answer 33

german shepherd

Question 34

advantages of US**

Answer 34

- dx open cows earlier - less traumatic - less manipulation - accurate recognition of ovarian structures - accurate detection of gestational problems - accurate detection of fetal death - fetal sexing

Question 35

schistosomus reflexus

Answer 35

fetal anomaly in which abdomen is open

Question 36

when does vaginal prolapse usually occur? tx?

Answer 36

late gestation. Put everything back and give oxytocin to make everything contract.

Question 37

fetal maceration

Answer 37

infection of fetus. cow usually has to be culled

Question 38

bacterial infection in fetal mummification?

Answer 38

no.

Question 39

gestational problems

Answer 39

``` fetal mummification fetal maceration fetal dropsy (fluid accum.): hydrops allantois and hydrops amnii uterine torsion prolapse uterus/vagina fetal anomalies ```

Question 40

hormonal method of detecting pregnancy**

Answer 40

sample progesterone in blood/milk at time of AI (should be low) and again 23d later (should be high) 99% effective in identifying "open" cows**

Question 41

PSPB or PAG

Answer 41

pregnancy specific protein B or pregnancy associated glycoprotein - prod. by trophoblast cells starting on day 21 of pregnancy in cows - good indicator of preg. as early as 30d - remain in circulation up to 70d post-partum

Question 42

interferon-tau stimulates gene expression of:

Answer 42

several genes by PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells - lymphocytes/monos)