Repro: Pregnancy Diagnosis & Post Partum Interval

Question 1

Why are early pregnancy diagnoses (PD) performed?

Answer 1

(to inform management positions)
- remove/sell/cull dry females (saves feeding empty females)
- to re-breed ASAP
- if unexpected/unwanted, to terminate
- allows for differential nutrition
- non-pregnant may signal an underlying fertility or health issue
- to estimate parturition dates
- to determine number of foetuses

Question 2

Why are mid to late pregnancy diagnoses performed?

Answer 2

• confirms early PD
• to estimate late pregnancy loss
• to plan for appropriate management around parturition and lactation

Question 3

What are the pros and cons of PD by palpitation?

Answer 3

• pros:
  -inexpensive and rapid
• cons:
  
  • requires training and skills
  • accuracy caries with stage of pregnancy and with skill of practitioner
  • small risk of injury

Question 4

What are the pros of PD by ultrasound?

Answer 4

• can be used in both small and large animals
• fast and accurate detection (>95%)
• early assessment
  
  • 25-35 days in cats/dogs/sheep
  • 20 days in cattle
  • 14 days in mare
• allows for foetal aging and sexing (cattle from 55 days)
• can confirm embryo viability (heartbeat) and litter size

Question 5

What are the cons of PD by ultrasound?

Answer 5

• requires expensive equipment
• power supply
• vet visit

Question 6

What factors affect the part partum anoestrus interval?

Answer 6

• breed within species
• suckling stimulus
• age of the female
• live weight
• body condition score
• nutrition
• date of calving/time within season
• dystocia
• reproductive tract damage
• sire of offspring
• male effect

Question 7

How to reduce PPAI in cattle?

Answer 7

• choose a suitable planned start of calving (PSC) date
• provide good nutrition pre and post partum
• ensure cows are in good condition
• use short-gestation sires
• avoid sire breeds and individual sires which may be prone to cause dystocia
• ensure you have good oestrus monitoring/detection