Bovine ultrasound-guided transvaginal amniocentesis

Recent interest and research activities in ultrasound-guided transvaginal amniocentesis have contributed greatly to the development of a reliable technique, particularly with respect to a reduction in fetal loss after the puncture procedure. Several investigators have reported a variety of techniques for the collection of bovine fetal fluids at different stages of pregnancy; however, thus far, a high incidence of fetal loss has occurred as a consequence of the aspiration procedure. This manuscript describes the technical aspects of a safe and reliable ultrasound-guided transvaginal method of amniotic fluid collection from heifers (n = 93) with Day 79 to 90 bovine conceptuses using a very fine aspiration needle. Using this approach, collection of amniotic fluid samples was successful in 88 out of 93 (94.6 %) attempts, and no complications or pregnancy losses were recorded as a consequence of the procedure. The results reported here suggest that the incidence of spontaneous fetal loss associated with this transvaginal amniocentesis procedure is very satisfactory and could be the method of choice for the collection of fetal fluids in embryo transfer programs.