Evaluation of transrectal examination of cervical diameter by palpation in dairy cows

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the reliability of a manual assessment of cervical diameter through palpation. In an in vivo trial, 64 Holstein-Friesian cows between 2 and 5d in milk (DIM) and between 21 and 27 DIM were examined by transrectal palpation by 3 investigators. For calculation of sensitivity and specificity, ultrasound-generated measurements were used as reference standard; a cervix >7.5 cm was categorized as large. The Pearson coefficient of correlation between the results of the 3 investigators and ultrasound-generated measurements was moderate (r=0.71, 0.74, and 0.51). The estimates generated by palpation by the 3 different investigators did not differ and were similar to measurements obtained by ultrasound. The coefficient of variation (CV) between the investigators and ultrasound was high (20.9, 18.7, and 32.0%). The mean difference between the investigators and the ultrasound was 0.60 cm (95% confidence interval: -2.4 to 3.6). Sensitivity was 28.6, 42.9, and 42.9%, and specificity was 100, 96.2, and 92.6% for the ability of the 3 investigators, respectively, to detect the 7.5-cm cutoff by palpation. Overall sensitivity and specificity for all 3 investigators, considering ultrasound as the reference, were 37.5 and 96.2%, respectively. In vitro, 24 wooden cylinders were used to represent cervical diameter and to examine the reliability, as well as sensitivity and specificity, of manual assessment of different diameters. The Pearson coefficient of correlation between the results of the investigators (n=11) and the actual diameters of the cylinders was 0.78. The CV between the investigators and the cylinders was 27.8%. The variation in the results was greater for cylinders with a larger diameter (3.5-cm diameter: mean ± standard deviation = 2.6 ± 0.9 cm; 10.5-cm diameter: mean ± standard deviation = 13.2 ± 4.0 cm). The estimate obtained by palpation for the 7.5-cm cylinder was 7.4 ± 2.1cm. Sensitivity was 79.4% and specificity 92.5%. After training one group of investigators, sensitivity and specificity improved to 85.9 and 94.4%, respectively. Transrectal palpation of the cervical diameter shows moderate repeatability and correlation and high variation between the investigators and the reference standards. Variability increased with larger diameters.

Cytological evaluation of inflammation of the uterus and influence of endometritis on selected reproductive parameters in dairy cows

“…Impaired local immunity of the uterus is considered to be of key importance in the development of postpartum uterine inflammation, which often persists for 60 d after parturition, negatively affecting reproductive parameters in cow herds (20,29). One parameter frequently taken into account mainly during the postpartum period, is the diameter of the uterine horns, because it is an inferrer of the dynamics of uterus involution (4,19,23). Inflammation, particularly in the post-calving period can substantially delay involution of the uterus (14).…”

Modern techniques of teaching bovine rectal palpation: opportunities, benefits and disadvantages of new educational devices

“…Although all the students who had examined between 100 and 200 cows had no difficulty with locating the cervix, uterus and ovaries, they had problems with interpreting the changes diagnosed within the examined organs, which suggests that even examining 200 cows is not enough to reach the full level of specialist skills (9). Field observations indicate that diagnoses made by veterinarians with vast experience quite possibly -in relation to a selected ovarian structure -carries a high risk of error (17,19,25). Numerous studies have presented ways to improve the accuracy of evaluating ovarian structures (8,17,19).…”

Trans-rectal palpation in cows: An appraisal of its teaching in selected veterinary schools in Southern Nigeria

“…In the females, TRP, apart from being a component of breeding soundness examination (BSE), is also a diagnostic tool employed in large animal to investigate causes of infertility and determine stage of oestrous cycle or pregnancy as well as in guiding the catheter during artificial insemination. It has proven useful in selecting cycling animal for breeding by the presence of functional corpus luteum (Yoshida et al, 2012), estimating cervical diameter (Leutert et al, 2013), approximating foetal age and predicting calving date (Matthews and Morton, 2012). The technique is simple and requires only adequate animal restraint, protective obstetrical gloves and lubricating gel to execute.…”