Rectal palpation for pregnancy checks in cows – the past or an alternative to modern diagnostic methods

Abstract

Early diagnosis of pregnancy in cattle is an important factor determining the profitability of breeding. It allows to shorten the intercalving period, by accelerating the next insemination procedure or diagnosing the cause of infertility. Palpation of the reproductive system by rectal examination isthe method used for more than 100 years it involves palpation of the uterine horns to detect the fetal vesicle, fetus water and the embryo itself. The earliest period when a fetal bladder can be detected is the 28th day after insemination in heifers and 32-35 in multiparous. The method is fast, cheap, does not require additional equipment, and the result is immediate. The ability to carry out the proper and effective recognition with this method is not easy and requires theoretical and practical preparation. The method also involves the risk of causing fetal damage and, as a result, loss of pregnancy and deterioration of the cow’s well-being. The modernization of the method is the introduction of an ultrasound for rectal examination, which allows to increase the efficiency of diagnosis and shorten the time from insemination to the examination. Diagnosis of early pregnancy through rectal examination, although it has been used for a long time, has not lost its importance or popularity. Although new methods of diagnosing pregnancy still appear in today’s practice, they do not affect its importance.

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

“…At present, rectal palpation is the cheapest and the most convenient method which is of crucial importance in the proper management of reproduction, quick and correct early pregnancy diagnosis, as well as diagnosing problems related to cycle or fertility distortions (15,19,20,27,32). Conducted in real-life conditions, it has been, and still is, a necessary element of clinical education.…”

“…The main reason for that are objective difficulties. Among these, most notable are: lack of wider access to live animals in barn conditions, the necessity to maintain the well-being of cattle, large training groups, the risk of causing uterine perforation or miscarriage due to insufficient experience, as well as others (20,26). At present training groups are small, consisting of about 10 students.…”

Resynchronisation as an element of improving cattle reproduction efficiency

“…The consequence of that may be an erroneous diagnosis, which, in the case of applying prostaglandin to a cow considered nongravid, may lead to economic losses resulting from a failed pregnancy and undesirable prolongation of the inter-pregnancy period (36). A US scan requires a portable ultrasound scanner of satisfactory quality, as well as experience gained in the course of examinations (25).…”

Thinking differently about clinical skills training: The bovine pregnancy diagnosis via transrectal palpation showcase

“…Bovine pregnancy diagnosis (PD) by transrectal palpation (TRP) is widely used in veterinary practice and is of economic importance. [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] It is also one of the most frequently performed procedures in bovine practice, 57 and therefore an important competency for veterinary graduates. 58 Bovine PD via TRP is performed according to a well-defined method.…”

“…60,67 While other indirect methods to determine pregnancy status and reproductive ultrasonography have become established methods to perform bovine PDs, 51,59,60,66,[68][69][70][71][72] TRP is still seen as a skill of utmost importance and a prerequisite to optimal ultrasonography use. 52,56,60…”